A Goonie Good Day

Sept. 25th 2013 Astoria, OR

A Goonie Day 

Today was a day.  An amazing day.  It rained all night last night and into the morning, but today, the sun came out.  After warm showers in the RV, a dog walk and a delicious homemade breakfast, we ventured out to find some good Americanos and some tasty locally baked treats.  We turned around 5 times looking for Three Cups Coffee House.  We finally found it, but it seemed a little too mainstream for our taste, if that’s even possible in this tiny town, so we decided to check out Alley Cat’s Espresso, a non-profit coffee shop that benefits a no kill shelter.   We were able to find this one, so we thought. We pulled up to an empty store front and I went next door to inquire and found out that  it had moved, so we ventured back to the Astoria Coffeehouse and Bistro where we had dinner the night before.  

Astoria Coffee House and Bistro

It was getting late in the day and we were trying to see the Goonies house, so we just went back to old faithful.  Their chocolate cake from the night before was so moist and overly generous with chocolate icing so we knew the baked goods were going to be quite delicious.  With our Dopio Americanos, pumpkin bread and coffee cake in hand, we ventured to the Goonies house.  

I took some back roads so we could see something other than the main strip of Astoria.  As we were driving by little victorian houses delicately placed on the steep hills, on this stunningly sunny day, with the windows down, I heard something in the distance.  It sounded like lots of dogs barking so I slowed down to listen (an instinct from running a pet sitting business for 9 years) and suddenly I realized the noise we had heard were indeed... sea lions, not dogs.  Maybe a hundred of them, all talking to each other and making a fuss.  The sound was traveling up the hill from the Columbia River where they were all sunbathing on the docks.  I was ecstatic.  I parked the car and jumped out.  We were directly across from their perch high up in the air so we could see them and Nick busted out the binoculars.  We stood there, taking in the moment, grabbed a few picturesque pictures and continued on our way to the Goonies house.  

Me making a weird face at Nick. 

After another few dead ends and U-turns we finally approached the Goonies House sign.  We parked and walked up the tire worn gravel road to the promised land.  As we got to the top it looked like a house like any other house.  

The owner of the house was super nice.  

There was a little donation box and a small sign on the side of the house that said “The Goondocks”. That was all that differentiated this house from any other house.  But this was a house where dreams were born.  So many dreamers of our generation have a profound connection to this house and the characters that started their journey here.  (That’s why 15,000 people a year come to see this house and just stare at it).  

Can you believe this house was vacant for years before the current owners bought it?

The Goonies’ journey of persistence and determination that they followed through with, against all odds and won most triumphantly (because as we all know GOONIES NEVER DIE) has shaped a generation of 80’s babies from a young age.  Every one of us wants to live that story.  We are the underdogs, the freaks, the nerds, the punks, the fat kids, the Sloths of the world.  We are the dreamers.  And this house represents the birthplace of our dreams; the beginning. It represents HOPE and possibility.  Possibility that what seems impossible can actually be reality.  I am a Goonie!! I never give up when I set my mind on something.  Maybe that’s why I’m traveling the country in a 33’ motorhome without musicians to find my place in the musical world.  There’s something in me that just can not give it up, even though it would be easier and more comfortable to live in a house and stay in one place,  and work a steady job, I just can’t.  

After reflecting at this sparkly magical site, we made our way back to the car at the bottom of the gravel road and back into the flat world of reality.  What eased my heartache at walking away from this place was the thought of the sea lions.  

We drove down the windy hills back to the base of the town at the waters edge.  The call of the sea lions amplified as we got closer.  We had to grab a hot beverage to combat the crisp air of the wet fall winds on the water, and we stopped into the Astoria Coffee Roasters and grabbed another Americano... to share.  The coffee guy was awesome and chatted us up as you’d expect any small business owner in a small town to do.  He gave us the lowdown on the Sea Lions across the street.  Most of them are displaced males and they are there everyday for 10 months of the year.  They go south for the summer during breeding season apparently.  Our friendly caffeine dealer also told us to ignore the “Do Not Enter” signs and said we can walk out on the pier, no problem.  This was all good to know.  

We took the walk across Route 30 and out onto the private pier to gape at the congregation of rejected sea lions; the underdogs of the sea.  They were amazing.  A constant choir of barking filled the air that rose and fell with testosterone driven arguments that seemed to erupt out of nowhere.  A constant musical chairs of sorts was going on, where sea lions were jumping in and out of the waters trying to find an open space to soak in the rays of the coy sun peeping in and out from behind the clouds. 

We had the pleasure of watching a few of the tenants of the boats pass through the crowd of furry finned mammals that had taken over the piers.  A game of cat and mouse ensued.  I’ve never been chased by a bull sea lion and I would not like to be, but watching from a distance, it was hilarious to see the big burley seamen back away from 300 pounds of snarl and bark.  The men raised their hands above their heads trying to make themselves appear bigger but this bull-headed bull wasn’t backing down that easily.  This went on for several minutes until the sea lion decided to walk out on the pier and clear a walking path for the men.  The men ran by quickly and the sea lion barked after them.  He seemed a bit upset for a while after they passed and kept looking down the walkway huffing and grunting.  

I took this shot as we were leaving the docks.  How amazingly Random is it? Rainbows, there are rainbows in my photo!!!!

        
Yet agian, it was difficult to pull myself away from this moment, but our last expedition of the day was calling us.  We had to get to the Point in Warrenton where the Columbia River runs into the Pacific Ocean before the sun set.  We finished theis day of exploration by chasing the sun as it receded to the west and moved on to light the other side of the earth.  We watched the silhouettes of storks flying in formation against the orange backdrop as we sat on the jagged gray rocks of the jetty. There was a sense of harmony in the endless crashing of the waves against the protected shores. The day was so wonderful that I couldn’t look away from it until it’s last little glimmer had gone out.  

So Long NoLa...

My last shift drink cup from Cafe Amelie courtesy of Jordan the Mistress of the bar.  

Our time in New Orleans, this time around, is coming to an end.  Nick and I have both worked our last shifts at Muriel's and Cafe Amelie, respectively.  We are getting ready for the next leg of our trip heading to Colorado by way of Houston, Austin and other various stops.

What I did not expect is having anxiety about leaving New Orleans.  I have gotten into a bit of a rhythm here.  I swim 3-4 times a week and have begun a habitual workout regimen.  I've gotten into the habit of getting a gi-normous piece of gluten-free banana choc. chip bread and an iced tea from Fairgrinds coffee shop.  I've come to appreciate the 3 o'clock rain that doesn't seem to really cool things off enough. But the thing I will miss the most that I did not expect is my day job.  The people at Cafe Amelie have turned out to be some of the most awesome people I have met thus far on the trip.  After knowing me for barely 2 months, many of them came out to show me love and support when I performed in the WWII Museum's Stagedoor Canteen Idol Competition .  They were my cheering section.  I never had as big a cheering section in Philadelphia, where I had lived for the last 11 years!!  These people are so full of life and love to live it!

Each individual at Amelie is just that, an individual.  Somehow amongst the vast differences we find a common ground and miraculously, everyone gets along.  We don't LOVE each another all the time, but the staff goes out together, plans events together and genuinely likes and supports one another.  Many of the staff members are on their way to somewhere else, working at the Cafe just until they are finished with school, or until they get accepted to school.  Others who have had a hard time keeping a job in the past, have been there for years.  It feels like a family.  And I'm going to miss the traditions there.  The constant banter of sexually charged dialogue and inuendos, the weekend staff breakfasts where we try to eat our eggs before they get cold, the never-ending-never-old siracha hot cock sauce jokes,  the pranks that Jerry, the Chef, plays on the staff, the leaky ceiling blues, the sweat soaked uniforms we don as we tend to picky customers, in 95 degree heat and 95% humidity, who just don't seem to understand why we are sweating so profusely, the Mardi Gras stories, the Decadence stories, hell, ALL of the stories.  Working in this restaurant located in the French quarter of New Orleans, EVERYONE has STORIES!!!!

In the time that I've spent at this Victorian Estate turned tourist eatery I've been reminded of something about myself; No matter what, I enjoy being part of something. Somehow it makes life more enjoyable and the struggles a little easier.  When the computers went down at the beginning of service on Sunday brunch, it was ok, because we all worked together to make it as seamless as possible.  When the air conditioner broke down mid-July and there was no relief from the heat the complaints were lighter, because we were all suffering together.  When the washer broke and all of the napkins had to be dried at a remote location causing them to be horribly wrinkled and annoyingly difficult to fold properly, it was just funny because of the impossible task we all laughed and kept on folding.  I walked away with a sense of community, a sense of family.  Anyone who knows me knows that this is something I seek out everywhere I go, but finding it isn't always a success.

So, last Sunday, as I drove toward the East, back to the RV, the sun was litterally setting on my time at Cafe Amelie.  I have been so so very lucky to have been able to work there and meet all of these amazing people.  I look forward to my return.  This isn't goodbye, just a so long...

What I've Been Doing In NOLA.

This is a photo of Stanley on the corner of Jackson Square.  

Ok, so I've been in NOLA for almost a month.  Here's What I've done in a nutshell (pecan preferred):

WE FOUND A PLACE TO LIVE
called Parc D'orleans RV park.  It's, for some reason, touted the least desireable park of all 4 parks on the Chef Menteur Highway, but for us it is the BEST!  It's less crowded that the other tiny parks and about twice the size.  There are no stray/ferral cats running around like there were at some of the other parks  AND it was the second least expensive.  It is not gated like all of the other parks which was a concern due to all of the online reviews about the neighborhood.  Sure,we see lots of "laidies of the night" except I see them mostly during the day in their booty shorts and tittie tops.  This being said, we have had no problems.  Parc D'orleans is quiet and peaceful and I feel perfectly safe.  But then again, I've lived in Philly for the last 11 years...

Parc D'Orleans 

I GOT A JOB
at Cafe Amelie.  A little Cafe tucked away behind an iron gate in the heart of the French Quarter on Royal Street.  This quaint european-esque sanctuary occupies the former estate of the American Princess of Monaco built in the early 1800's and is not the norm for the French Quarter.  No fried or breaded foods here.    A simple menu created by exec. Chef Jerry and executed beautifully by the lovely cooks in the kitchen.  Our Shrimp and grits are topped with a corn Maque Choux (mock-shoe) savory and rich and complete with andouille sausage, cream, butter and bacon fat because that's how they role down south.  Never enough forms of fat in one dish.
I often feel as though I'm in an episode of Downton Abbey here.  I imagine what it would have been like to actually live in the servant's quarters where our office now resides and see the horse drawn carriages prance past the water fountain and into the carriage house, now our bar/restaurant/kitchen.  I think about all the people who had visited the princess while she resided there and the drama behind the scenes.  Anyway, I digress...
Amelie is a pretty great place to work.  It's a small business so there's not a lot of corporate rigamarole to deal with.  It operates pretty straight forward.  No menu tests to take, no week long training, afterall, we are just serving food to people.  It's not rocket science.

Cafe Amelie, Nick snapped a pic the day I went in for my interview!

I GOT INTO A BAND
called Fifty Shades of Blues.  It's a startup band, which is nice because we are all learning the songs at the same time, rather than me having to catch up to the rest of the band.  It's mostly jazz and blues tunes.  Some well known, others well known in certain circles.  I'm really happy with the professional level of the band memebers and that some of my song suggestions were actually considered and approved.  We are planning to start booking gigs in June!  That's coming up fast!  So far we've had 2 rehearsals each about 5 hours long.  Yes, I am a hustler baby.  Trying to get it all in!

Fifty Shades of Blues

I VOLUNTEER ON A FARM
called Sheaux Fresh.  It's a little plot of land across the river in Algiers that's privately owned and has been turned into a small farm that grows specialty produce for local restaurants.  They use organic farming principles and I'm hoping to learn a lot.  I've tasted Arugula flowers that are a nutty spicy surprise and some of the spiciest mustard greens I've ever had. Sometimes Nick drops me off and I take the Ferry back across the river into town.  It's pretty awesome.  I've harvested mustard greens, and curly endive and we had "compost day" last week.  Boy, that was fun.  I required an immediate shower when I arrived back to the RV.  Nothing like shovelling rotting produce filled with worms in 80 degree temperatures to get your blood pumping.  Oh, and I almost forgot about emptying the collection buckets of "liquid fertilizer" into 50 gallon drums.  Exhilarating and disgusting!
Unfortunately, I don't have any pics of this...yet.

I'VE BEEN EATING OUT A LOT
Booty's, Satsuma Cafe, Crescent Pie and Sausage Co., The Red Slipper, Maurepas, Fair Grinds Coffee Shop, Felipe's, El Gato Negro, Green Goddess, Smashburger, Slim Goodies Diner,  Taco Stand outside of BJ's Bar, Pizza Delicious, Reviews and pics to follow....

Crawfish Boil

Looks like there's more to eat than there acutally is.

Wat Mongkolratanaram Tampa Buddhist Temple

As soon as we realized we were stranded in Tampa for more than a few days I started looking up things to do around this town.  I stumbled upon Wat Mondkolratanaram Temple.  The Yelp reviews of it said things like "unique experience" and "there's nothing like it".  My curiosity was peeked, but I didn't follow up on going here until the garage manager at Cummins printed out pages of things to do and this Buddhist Temple was among them.  He highly recommeneded it and so we went.



Here's what it is.  Every Sunday the Temple opens up to the public from 10am to 2pm.  The temple is located on the bank of a river and they set up vendors on the huge wrap around porch of one of the buildings on the compound.

There are these signs posted all over the grounds of the temple including the Meditation Garden.  

You can get various traditional Thai meals, noodle soups, desserts, juices, coffee, and more.  There are tons of tables and benches along the river where you can sit and enjoy this communal environment.  There are flowers and plants for sale and early on in the day there is usually some live music.  It gets very busy and they do run out of certain items as the day goes on.  Expect a crowd, but this is part of the charm.   We arrived on the later side, around 12:30 and the crowds were not too bad, but some of the food options were gone already.  

These are the huge vats of oil cooling down after hours of frying up sweet potato and plantains!! Yum! 

Chicken Curry with rice Vermicelli, sprouts, basil and carrots 

Fried Plantains and Sweet Potato,  

View of the River from our table.  

The best technique we discovered is to purchase your main food items and then get on the coconut custard line.  You grab a to-to box and scribble your name on it, pay and give the box back to the vendor.

You can return in 30 minutes or so and your custards will be waiting for you and you just scoop up your pre-written care package and enjoy!  

Coconut Custard.  Sweet and creamy. It's like having a nibble of Thailand in the palm of your hand.  

You are welcome to join the monks in the temple at 2pm for their service, but you'll have to leave your shoes outside!

Homesick for the Holidays

Ice Cream at the Franklin Fountain with my good friend Adam. 

I want to go home. At least several times a day, i think about all the things back home that I miss.  My friends: hitting up the Boom Room where there are always friendly faces and a welcoming microphone or driving up to El Bar and ordering a tonic with lime and being my friend’s “wing man” as i pour my own flask filled with Gin into my sober glass. I miss my favorite restaurants with Brunches that are actually worth waking up for and the coffee shops where I can order a cup of coffee and not cringe in fear of the first sip as to whether I just wasted $2 of my hard earned and quickly depleting money.  The culture: walking down broad street and seeing all of the young and hopeful artists and actors and dancers from U Arts or grimacing at all of the bearded hipsters who put way too much time into their bicycles and tattoos. And who can forget the dirty streets that make it feel like real life instead of this make believe sod planted world called Florida that I’ve been floating through.  Although, I do appreciate the sun and copious palm trees.

It’s so hard everyday not to just turn around and go back to the place that I miss and didn’t realize how much I love.  Philly has given me so many opportunities like being in short films and dancing in shows on the Schkyukill River and taught me so many lessons like what friends to trust and when to walk away from a bad situation.  I grew into myself in Philly and now, on the road, in this metal tin can that I now call “home”, which has decided to betray me and become imobile, I feel like I just graduated college again and I don’t know who I am. I’m searching for some meaning.  Freedom is a wonderful thing, but sometimes it’s pretty scary.  I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing every day.  I’m just “living my life”, but I’m not sure this is how I want to live it.  I want to work hard and make something of myself.  I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have a “job”.  I worked throughout college and after college I had 3 jobs at once and I loved it! Right now it’s so hard to keep my eye on the prize and without direction I just get lost.  My days are filled with problem solving, exercising and trying not to eat my way out of this boredom.  The road is a bit of a lonely place, it’s true.  My bond with Nick has gotten stronger than it’s ever been.  We spend so much time together, it’s a little bizarre.  Sometimes, I wish I had fallen in love with an amazing musician.  That would make this journey a bit easier, but maybe harder too.  Musicians are so unpredictable and narcissistic.  Who knows, maybe I still will fall in love with one along the way and have a riotous affair!  See?  That’s what I’m talking about!  That’s the kind of stuff I was expecting to happen.  Not getting stranded in a Cummins garage in the outskirts of Tampa with a cracked head gasket.  That’s not glamourous and exciting!  What is a leaking head gasket supposed to inspire?  

So, on this day when Jesus rose from the grave, I am far from home and the ones I love, I have found comfort in a bottle of Malbec and the familiar faces on Netflix, whom I’ve come to know very well.  ( Of course, there’s no WIFI here, so i’m watching it on my iphone. Eh, at least I have an iphone).  The wine is good and the wheat thins are flowing, so I must go, as my guitar is calling me.  Hopefully she will give me comfort on this warm spring night, in this odd southern town where I’m being held captive behind metal gates, under artificial lights.  

Brunch at Cafe Estelle was the best. 

Expectations, What Are They Good For...?

We all have expectations and we all have disappointments.  When things don't go the way you want  or expect them to, what do you do?

Nick and I embarked on the "Dream It True Tour" about 3 months ago.  What we couldn't possibly realize is how different it is to live on the road.  There's obvious changes that effect you in ways you wouldn't ever think of.  Like, we no longer work every day.  I used to walk dogs a least 2 hours a day, on a slow day.  I'm not doing that anymore, nor am I walking up flights of stairs all day.  We have two little steps to get into our RV.  So, with the lack of regular physical activity and the love of food, I've put on a few pounds! I usually weigh about 118.  I got up to 124, which may not sound like a lot, but if I didn't recognize it and make a change it would have continued.  Six pounds is the difference between my clothes fitting comfortably and being just a little too tight.  It's the difference between a tight shirt fitting smoothly and suddenly seeing a muffin top.  Or my thighs rubbing where they never did before.  Bottom line is that I don't feel comfortable in my own skin.    So, I've taken up swimming and biking and walking and watching what I eat.  Friggin' Charleston, SC got me with all of their delicious BBQ meats and cured pig products.  I haven't had any meat other than fish in over a month.  I cook a lot of vegetable stirfrys with organic locally grown greens and root vegetables.  I use My Fitness Pal app on my phone to keep track of what I eat and how much I exercise.  I have NEVER done this in my entire life, ever.

One of my super duper nutritious and DELICIOUS meals.

I'm sure part of my motivation in somewhat obsessing over my food and exercise is to feel a bit of control.  I was in such a comfort zone in Philly.  I had my friends, I had my places I'd get drinks, places to get food, I knew where everything was all the time, I knew where to get my pants hemmed and my shoes fixed, and of course I had a steady income coming in.  It takes a long time to figure out these things, so when you are moving all the time, it's nearly impossible to feel grounded.  All of these new adjustments add up and can make me feel a little crazy; unbalanced. In Philly, sure,  I had an odd schedule compared to the average person, but it was normal and regular to me. Out on the road, I feel as though I am at the mercy of so many factors.  For example, the weather can disrupt our driving schedule very easily.  If it's too windy, we can't drive because we are considered a "high profile" vehicle so high winds mean high danger. We don't drink the water in the holding tank of the RV, so we have to refill BPA free jugs of water every few days which takes time and forethought. When there's a problem with the RV, not only do we have to worry about the expense and having to locate a reputable place to do the work, but we also have to worry about where to stay while the RV is getting worked on! All of these little problems add up and it's not what I had expected.  It's not bad, just a different reality than what I had envisioned.

  I guess I had imagined myself immersed in musicians sitting around campfires and singing to the wee hours of the morning.  This was a very romantic vision, but far from reality, at least, so far.  As far as musicians go, I kind of expected that people would be interested in our trip and want to be a part of what we are doing. It was challenging in Philly to organize musicians, well, on the road it's way more difficult.  Most good musicians are super busy and are into their own projects, the less affluent musicians may show interest in my endeavors, but don't really have the chops to get involved or just aren't dedicated or have kids or whatever other issues that don't lend themselves to playing out or rehearsing. Still other musicians feel threatened by a new talented musician infiltrating on their "territory".   So, there are so many factors, more than I had thought there would be, that make life on the road so much different than life back home.

I've been going to open mics, jam sessions, jazz nights and sitting in with lots of musicians, but I haven't really made any headway, at least not in my eyes.  One night I sang at 4 different venues between sitting in and open mics. No one can say I haven't been putting myself out there.

Elise sitting in with some Jazz cats at Roadhouse Cafe in Fort Myers.  

It's said that crazy can be described as someone doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  Well, at the moment, I've stopped trying to promote my music that has already been created and began to open myself to collaboration.  Collaboration creates connection and connections are what life is about.  I've decided to build relationships with people through the artistic process of creation.  Giving life to something new that never existed before.  That is how to build a solid relationship that lasts.  So, this is my new tactic.  This is the new plan.  It will have to be reassessed in the near future, but so far, so good.  I recorded a song last night in a small studio with a local producer and I'm working on another song with a local guitar player.  Maybe that's what this trip is about and not  just ME and MY music, but US and OUR music.

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Camping In Fayetteville NC: Art's RV Sites

Nick and I aren't particularly fancy people.  We like good food and being comfortable and that keeps us pretty happy.  In the RV being comfortable for us means being warm, and besides heading south, staying warm means being plugged into shore power.  Which is exactly what we did at Art's RV Sites and it was perfect for us.  The sites were surrounding Art's house and dispersed throughout his yard.    We had a full hook up (water, electric and sewer) for $12.50 a day with our Passport America membership.  You can't beat that with a stick.  We were comfortable, it was convenient and we didn't have, nor did we need any of the bells and whistles of other RV campgrounds or "resorts" like the pool, which isn't open this time of year anyway.  Art was a classic southern guy who loved classic American cars.  He drove his 1940 Ford around everyday while enjoying a good smoke.  You could tell he was a collector of sorts by the El Camino in the yard and the 1920 something restored vehicle in the garage.  There didn't seem to be too much going on in this town but everyone was pretty damn friendly.
We stayed a few days and enjoyed the decent weather and the affordable full hookup campsite.  We would pay for a day thinking that we were leaving the next day, but then the next day we found ourselves staying another night.  We knew we wouldn't find another campground as inexpensive,  comfortable and welcoming as Art's.
 It was pretty quiet, except for the distant rumblings of what we assumed were cannon's firing from Fort Bragg.  We weren't hassled when we had an unexpected visitor.  Our friend and fellow musician Jay D Clark, who introduced Nick and I 7 1/2 years ago,  came to visit us from his last road tour The Exam Jam. That was pretty cool meeting up on the road in a different town away from home. He spent the night and slept in our rig on the kitchen table that doubles as a bed. We woke up the next made some breakfast, Jay D grabbed a shower and off he went on his was back to Philly before his next show in Connecticut. It was cool being able to provide a warm meal and a hot shower to a fellow friend/musician travelling around.
  All in all Fayetteville was a nice stop along the way there seems to be more to this little town than meets the eye.  We will definitely be visiting Art anytime we pass though.

RV Camping in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is WAY bigger than the shore towns that I'm used to in Cape May and Wildwood NJ.  Everything is lit up and oversized or as I like to call it  "american sized".  I was shocked at the restaurants, shops and mini golf courses mile after mile.  We stayed at two locations here.  The first was Briarcliffe RV Resort.

This place was pretty much like living in a condo development, except everyone had an RV instead of a condo.  All of the RVs were beautiful.  Big with slideouts and some had matching golf carts parked along side them.  All of them way nicer than our 20 year old Southwind, and the "resort" seemed to cater to an older crowd, but full time RVing tends to do that.  Everyone was friendly, but I got more of a yuppie vibe from the people.
 The designated Pet Areas were pretty small and once Honey had peed on all the trees in this area, he was pretty disinterested in doing his business there again.  Internet, which we were told was "very slow" was $5 a day per computer!!! Really?  What century is this?  We used our Passport America membership to get a full hook up site for $22.50 during the weekdays. The discount didn't apply on the weekends so we would have to pay the winter rate of $34 sat and sun.  This was reasonable, as their winter rate on the weekends, but we soon learned that Myrtle Beach State Park was just 12 miles or so south of where we were staying which was a closer location to central Myrtle Beach.  Their winter rate was about $30 for a full hook up, so we packed all our stuff away and drove to the State Park, oh and they have free wi-fi.  Much to our delight the lovely Alaskan snowbirds behind the desk gave us an additional 25% off so we were paying the same $22.50!

Hooray! AND look at the difference!  We are just off of the beach and we can hear the ocean waves from our site at night!  We are in a park with trails and trees and nature rather than the concrete "resort" where we were before.






We can't even believe the difference! State Parks are definitely the way to go whenever possible!!

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Big Harry's Tavern Open Mic: Fayettville NC

I found Big Harry's Tavern on openmics.org. We stopped into this local establishment around 9:30 pm.  As usual, we weren't too sure what we would find here, but that's how we like it.  We got IDeed at the door by a little guy named Peanut. I thought nothing of it really but Nick noticed that he checked the ID of an older gent that was clearly of the age and when Nick asked Peanut said he checks EVERYBODY's ID. Turns out Peanut takes the stage to sing a meddley of songs every week and we were priveledged to catch his act. There was a house band playing which is great for me, since I decided to do a music tour with no band.  I looked through their lyric book in front of the stage, but it was all country tunes, most of which I had never heard of before.  The audience consisted of a mixed bunch of local musicians, non-musicians and those that just can't stop coming back to enjoy some good music like Scott Hamilton.  (No, no, not the olymic ice skater).   It wasn't packed, but there were enough people there to make us feel welcomed.  Randy, who was playing guitar, greeted me and asked me what I wanted to sing.  I opted for Bobby Mcgee by Janis Joplin and Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin.  I know that I need to grow my songlist but these were the songs that I chose to do. They knew the songs and played them like pros.

After the first song, I seemed to have everyone's attention.  We ended the short set by jamming out some blues.  The guys were great to play with and the audience seemed to be having a great time. After I finished singing everyone kept saying that I needed to do something with this voice i possess. Good Times!! This is another venue/open mic I would definitely stop by when passing thru these parts another time.  The best part of the night was when Randy and his daughter Randi aka R2 did a duet.  She is a talented young lady studying several musical instruments and singing her heart out at the tender age of 17.  She was sipping her water at the bar and singing all the words to the songs when I was performing.  I was so happy to chat with her after the show and become FB friends.  I'm definitely interested in seeing where her musical talents will take her. Well stay tuned for more from The Dream It True Tour as it continues "going down the road feelin bad"....

The Judge's Bench Open Mic

When Nick and I were staying with his brother in Maryland, I decided to hit up an open mic.  I wanted to stay pretty close by so I went to openmikes.org and found The Judge's Bench in Ellicott City.  The reason I chose this open mic over others is because of their FB group page.  There were tons of people talking on the group page the day of the open mic and there seemed to be a good vibe going on.  I arrived on the later side around 10pm there was free parking just across the street, (which is great coming from Philly where Parking Wars is filmed), and I signed up to sing.  I was the last one on the list for the night but I expected that since I arrived so late.  I asked Mike, the host, if there were any musicians who might want to play with me.  He immediately pointed to Tim for guitar, Butch for bass, and David for harmonica.  I introduced myself and I got a very warm welcome.  I had to wait till about 1am to sing and it was a great time.   Both young and older people all drinking and playing together.  The bartender held it down by himself with 50 people in the bar and their rotating beer selection is pretty impressive.  All in all it was a great night and I would DEFINITELY hit this open mic up again on the way back up north.

Break UP Music Video Release

Here's the music video for the title track off of my EP, Break Open.  Mp3s are available on iTunes, Amazon and reverbnation.  Don't forget to Like and comment so I know your thoughts and suggestions!!!






It's wonderful when hard work pays off.  There is a lot more work ahead of us on The Dream It True Tour.  Can't wait to jump the hurdles and hoops they're gonna put in front of me.

You can also follow us on FB.  www.facebook.com/elisemoureaumusic

Hezekiah's Open Jam at Elena's Soul: You should go.

I checked out the Open Jam at Elena's Soul at 4913 Baltimore Ave. in West Philly, hosted by Hezekiah.  I arrived close to 10pm and there was a good crowd of people hanging out.  Hezekiah was playing some music off of his phone while the house band got ready to play.  I sat for about a half hour observing the bar.  I shot a smile at the people who made eye contact with me and got a smile or a nod back.  It was a friendly happy vibe.  It seemed like everyone knew each other or at least saw one another often there. Hezekiah announced the one rule for the evening "the band doesn't tell you what to say and you don't tell the band what to play." Once the band started and the "mic was open"  it didn't take long before the dance floor/stage was lined with anxious Emcees.  They seemed hungry for it.  Like they had been waiting all day to get there and let out what they had been thinking about or practicing or what had been brewing inside them.  I was a bit intrigued and a bit overwhelmed.  I started to get in my head about it.  "What if I just can't get any words out?," I thought.  Of course that's rediculous because I go to Jam sessions often and I'm fine everytime, but the thought is still there.
The mic was being passed and shared freely.   Once a rapper was finished rapping they immediately said "the mic is open" in time to the music, keeping time so the next hungry spitter could get in on it. It felt communal.  Hezakiah has built a community here.
I was taken with some of the people's freedom and spontanaity.  It was a good reminder to me to Let Go!  Stop censoring and just do what comes to you.  Easier said than done, of course.  Mind you the Emcees weren't perfect, they lost rhythm, got stuck, messed up words and they just kept going or took a break till they grabbed the mic again.  That's how it should be.
I sang breifly, but mostly observed.  I wish I had discovered this Open Jam earlier so I could become a familiar face and get into a groove there.  Alas, I depart from Philadelphia in a few days.  There will be many other open jams that I will be attending in the near future.  Some will be epic and some will be not so good, but that's just how it goes.

Break UP Video Release to Kick off The Dream It True Tour

I have decided to release the long awaited Break UP music video to kick off the beginning of The Dream It True Tour which will begin November 15, 2012.  We can't think of a better way to celebrate our departure from Philly and into the great music unknown.  We have no set plan or destination, just  a list of states and cities we want to check out. Of course, we will be heading south to start the journey.  I can't believe the day is almost here!!!! Let the countdown begin... 8 days until we begin a new chapter in our lives and you get to see my sexy Break UP video!!!! Hooray!!! 

Oh, and don't worry ladies there is some eye candy in here for you two.  We don't descriminate when it comes to sexual objectification!!!

Faith: It's not just for Jesus and George Michael

You gotta have faith.  That's what we're told, but what does that really mean?  For me, I always tell myself that everything works itself out, but it's not like I'm passive about it.  The past few months have been hella stressful.  Nick and I are moving out of our house, so we have either sold or donated a lot of our stuff.  I have a young, lovely girl, Kelly taking over For Paws Philly, my pet sitting business, as well as taking over my house.   These are a lot of big changes happening all at once.  Sometimes it seems like it's impossible and there have been huge hurdles to overcome.  Often times I question myself and my choices to do all of this.
I've mentioned in earlier posts that I've been having some stomach problems over the last few months. (i wonder why, Hello Stress!!) During this time, I've done a ton of research about digestion and the stomach and such.  I've learned that the stomach and the brain are directly connected and when someone says "listen to your gut", it's not just something we say.  Your stomach litterally has a brain and it talks to you!!!! Your stomach tells your when you are making the right decision or the wrong decision.  So many times, in hindsight, I know I should have listened to that little voice telling me to not go out that night, or to not sit next to that guy at the bar or to not engage in conversation with a certain person.  So, I have made a choice recently to start listening to that voice, even if she's telling me to do something that I don't WANT to do.
I have learned by making mistakes in the past to listen to my intuition and make the Right decisions, whether they are easy to make or not.  So, when I start to doubt whether all of the changes that are happening will pan out and leave me with a positive outcome, I have to remember that I made the decision for Kelly to take over the business and I made the decision that it was time to persue my dream of singing, and I am the one who, on a daily basis, makes sure that things are progressing properly.  Having faith that everything will work out is really having faith in yourself to make the proper decisions, choose the proper people to help you and surround you for success and to stay focused and keep your eye on the prize.
We know when we are right and when we are wrong.  Listen to your stomach for more than just what to cook for dinner and start making good decisions and set yourself up to achieve what you want out of life. You set it all in motion.

I Got A Sponsor!!

Hooray! I've got my first official sponsor.  I've been asking anyone and everyone to wrack their brains for someone who would be interested in sponsoring our trip to the Utica Music and Arts Festival in September and we got what we asked for!  Premier Utility Services
http://www.premierutilityservices.com/Premier-441.html
was generous enough to sponsor us and cover most of our travel expenses.  Now I can actually pay my musicians for all of their hard work and time that they've dedicated to this project!  Recieving this sponsorship has given me a new sense of achievement and encouragement.  It's hard to be an independent artist.  Everything is a struggle and takes 10 times as long to get done.  Moments like this is what it's all for.
Now I'm just waiting to get our merchandise back from the printers and send out our new live CD to Disc Makers to get pressed.  So much to look forward to!!
Don't forget to Subscribe to keep up on the latest developments!

Is You Is or Is You Ain't? That Is The Question.

This was originally written about a year ago.  I never posted it, but I think it's a very valid thought

My question today is: Is my life Blog worthy? Am I awesome or am I plain lame? Is I is or Is I Ain't?

Since the inception of the RV trip aka: The Dream It True Tour and Elise's Life Is A Highway, life has really been about the grind for me. Keeping my focus and working, saving money and trying to progress with my music. All of which I have been doing, but from my day to day view of my life it seems regular, consistent and drama free. Not necessarily stuff to write about. Certainly not the stuff that inspires others, or is it? I don't attend regal galas, I don't frequent sexy soirees, I'm not raising awareness for breast cancer or brain cancer or any other horrific disease. I am a business owner and an aspiring musician and I find my hands pretty full with just those two things on my plate. Is such a life Blogable? Well, anything is blogable, but does anyone really care? Why do we blog and who really benefits from it?

The Business Blog at Intuitive.com says:
"In terms of why people blog, well, my belief is that it's to have a voice, however small. To think that just like the people who write those fancy opinion columns for The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, you too can share your thoughts, vent, and complain to the public at large. Having said that, there are lots of really smart bloggers who have interesting perspectives on the news, politics, sports, business, etc., people who wouldn't otherwise be heard in mainstream media."

I haven't felt like blogging much lately. All of that focusing and keeping my eye on the prize has dulled down my blogging excitement, but a TV show made me realize that I am feeling as though my life is uninspired and thereby uninspiring to others. It may sound silly to some since I'm a singer and dog walker extraordinaire, but it's true. Often times, I FEEL like my life is boring and uninteresting and the little voice in my head questions my worthiness. But I know better than to give in to these Negative Nancy thoughts. Inspiring things happen ALL THE TIME. To me and everyone else. Inspiration isn't found only in huge life altering events. It can be as seen on TV!

     My mother said "Why would strangers want to read a blog about someone they don't know"? I argued because they can relate to a real person with a different perspective or a voice that can articulate what they can not. Inspiration isn't taken only from humanitarian acts of saving sick children, rescuing endangered species, or curing deadly diseases. It comes from one's perspective.  It's the WAY we look at our world that is inspiring.

For example: There's a dog that I see often at the dog park. He has Multiple Sclerosis. The owner fostered him, then decided to keep him. A few months later, I was told, the owner was diagnosed with MS. Of course this seems like a sick twist of fate, but she gets daily inspiration from this dog who simply lives his life. He goes on walks, he plays fetch, oh, did I mention that he's missing an eye too? The dog doesn't think about the future, or the progression of his disease. He just knows to keep chasing the ball and bring it back until he can't anymore. See? Inspiring.

I consider myself to live a privileged life that should leave me with boundless inspiration for myself and for others. I'm healthy, well fed, well clothed, well loved and I've been blessed to have an open mind and heart.
I don't always see the little things in my life as noteworthy, but I try to remind myself that
they are. I walk dogs everyday.  To me it's the same old routine, but to those who are on the 7th floor in Corporate America everyday, it can be an inspiration. I write songs and sing them. To me I give off a dull sheen in comparison to the accomplishments of my musical idols, but to someone who can't express themselves through music, perhaps I can touch their life. Or even to the next generation out there, we all know they could use a little inspiration.  Who knows? They could even inspire me right back just like our one eyed four legged friend. My point is, when I'm feeling down about my life and thinking that it's so mundane and boring; When I have self defeating thoughts that no one could possibly be interested in my simple little life I have to remember, and I ask you to remember, that inspiration is in all of us.

Can't Wait Till I Can Focus On My Focus

Ahhhhh!  I'm going slightly crazy.  So much to do!  I'm in transition; waiting mode.  Preparing for the future.  I'm maintaining life as I've known it for the last 6 years, but I'm anxiously awaiting the life that lies ahead of me. Life on the open road with Nick and Honey and enless musical adventures.

 Just like when I have to perform, waiting is the worst part.  I don't mind when I'm on stage in front of the hot lights.  It's waiting for it and over thinking every little detail that could possibly happen that drives me crazy.

Right now I'm running For Paws Philly, packing up our house, selling all of our furniture,  and planning for the Utica Music and Arts Fest in September., which entails looking for sponsors, scheduling rehearsals, rehearsing, finalizing the show format, getting merchandise made, getting a new batch of Cd's made, getting the RV ready, so many other little things I can not even name!

So, I find that I'm pretty sensitive at the moment.  I've been tearing up at the littlest things lately.  Like baby shower cards and videos of Britain's Got Talent!  Really?  I definitely  need a break, but I just have to keep on pushing through till  mid September, when, I think, all of the insanity will quiet down, at least for a few weeks.  Then I can finally focus on my focus:  Music and The Dream It True Tour.

Change Tastes Good

Wow.  So it's been about a year since I posted an update.  I've written some things, but never posted them, so here's a brief update.  As of January I started having some crazy digestion problems.  I saw a bunch of doctors that charged me too much money for no answers and useless tests.  So, I just changed my eating habits and started to rest more and reduce my stress levels.
I started taking daily probiotics, fish oil capsuls, and digestive enzymes to help my body get back to normal.  I decreased my fat intake by limiting the amount of meat I ate, but the thing that has seemed to help me the most is juicing.  Nick and I have had a juicer packed away for years.  We took it out and started juicing anything that we think is good for us and an aid in digestion.  Like fennel and ginger, for example.  My energy level has increased, i feel super healthy and people have even begun to tell Nick that his body looks like it's changing.  Something else that seems to help me  is Greens + Bars.  These things are awesome.  When I'm on the go, which is most of the time, I get hungry and eating out can cause stomach upset for me, so I bring some Greens + Bars with me and I'm good to go!!! They are cold processed, vegan, and coated in blissful chocolate, so they taste amazing!!!



I love these things.  We buy them by the case now.  If I can't eat enough veggies in a day I have one or two of these and I don't feel so guilty anymore!  So, I signed up to be an affiliate with this company.  That means if you click on the link to their site from our blog, we get a percentage of whatever you buy from their site!  I'm hoping this will be a way we can have some income during our upcoming trip which I'll talk more about in the next month.  We are still have to finalize some things before we can start blabbing about our plans.  

Thanks for reading and let me know if you try these bad bears! I wanna know what you think.

-E

Shallow Grave Short Scene Project

So here is the finished version of the film project I was in a few months ago.  A temple film student's scene assignment.  We had fun making it!  Thanks Paul Hinson for asking me to be a part of this project. 

http://vimeo.com/24939437

Elise Sings at World Cafe Live and Other News

So, the summer continues to kick my ass. I am now performing in a wedding band which just got signed to CTO Agency. Yay! and a little scary. Will this distract me from my original music? My hope is that it will make me a more confident performer and a stronger singer. Keeping my instrument in shape and my performance skills sharp.

I am still attending meetings and getting ready to write some songs for "Constants". A show that will be taking place on canoes on the Schuylkill River in August. (You know you can't resist checking it out!)

I will also be singing at the Opple Topple Fest June 18th late late late at night into the AM of the 19th. If you want tickets to this, I honestly have no idea how to buy them, but I'm sure we can figure it out. Here's the FB link to the info:

Opple Topple Fest Info

Lastly, I sang at the World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington DE a few weeks ago. Here is the footage of one of the songs I was thrilled to be singing. It's called Try You. Hope you enjoy and can relate. More news and footage coming soon. Hopefully on a new HD camera!!!!!!!!!!




Remember to DREAM IT TRUE!!!!!!