Hoo-eee, it’s been awhile since I’ve been in the studio.

Last night, BoomR and I test-drove my chops, laying down some tracks in a late evening session. When we finished at around 11:30, two tunes were ready for mixdown. [varying degrees of] Success!

BoomR’s equipment, studio space and engineering expertise were, of course, a joy to work with. Loved how he made this voice sound better than it actually is. Ah, Merlin…ye be a fine magician.

Today, the Thriller is off to Austin for a much anticipated visit with three of his children (we haven’t seen them since Simone’s wedding, last October), who are driving up to Pflugerville to meet him for lunch. Fun! While he’s doing that, BoomR and I plan to finish up with the recordings, then lay down the order for tonight’s gig at Chamberlain’s. Also fun.

Meanwhile, while the other side of the house is still in morning coffee mode, I might put on me swim bloomers and take a couple of laps in the pool. Then it’s off to warm up these clanky pipes once again. Off we go — enjoy your Saturday, fiends.

We stopped in Tunica last night for a little gambling fun, and checked into the hotel early. I don’t know if it’s because they took one look and felt sorry for us, wilting in the 100+ degree heat, or if we looked important in our t-shirts and jeans, or if we just looked like we needed a lift, but we got this suite at Harrah’s:

Nice.

And the best part? Since the Thriller is a cardholder at all Caesar’s properties (Caesar’s Palace, Harrah’s, Horseshoe), he got it for nothin’. How about that?

I’ll bet some of you would have loved the Jacuzzi. (We aren’t fans; he says, “What’s the point? Get in the shower and get out.” I am grossed out by them…all that body bacteria swimming around…yummy. That, and after about 5 minutes in one, I feel woozy.)

Me? I’m looking forward to hogging that marble double shower all to myself.

And for today: we’re bound for the Big D, and meeting up at BoomR and BluVox’s house for some crazy shenanigans, a recording and a gig. Wahoo!

I’ll check in tomorrow morning with more photos. Hugs to all my fiends.

FO

Good morning from beautiful Fulton, MS. I hope all my luvs up in the Midwest are not suffering any damage from last night’s storms. Seamus posted a picture from his truck route this morning, and it showed washed out, flooded roads. I hope you’re all doing fine!

Long, long, long drive yesterday, but it was worth it, because Daddy and Kathy were on the other end. Nineteen miles from Tupelo (Elvis’s birthplace, and Daddy’s as well) is the little town of Fulton; delightful little hamlet.

Sorry if the large version is upside down. Gotta give the Thriller a tutorial on how to hold the phone, haha

We had a delicious steak dinner, then went back to Daddy’s and chatted (and of course, I got to hear him play a new instrument — an old 1970 Fender steel guitar  – awesome).

Afterwards, we stopped at his body shop, where he revealed his newest toy: a 2003 Indian motorcycle. He revved the engine and the Fink about had an infarction. They laughed while I tried to recover.

We’ll go out for coffee this morning, then back on the road. This vacation thing? I like it.

And away we go, here in a bit. (Coffee first, of course.)

Stay tuned, fiends. I heart you, and thanks for being so sweet for reading. I’ll have some pictures for you, hopefully every day.

It’s now 5:15 a.m., and time to shut this down, brush fangs, unplug everything and get on the road.

Arrivederci! Nasvidenje! Tot ziens! Au revoir! XO!

Fink (and the Thriller) out.

Well, not really. The Thriller and I have finished our bookings for the Odyssey, due to blast off on 12 June. We’re staying at a couple of lodges out in the middle of nowhere, sort of; and those who know me know that excursions like that are definitely not in my standard repertoire of Stuff I Like To Do. Heh.

Our first stop of this kind will be the Lake McDonald Lodge, inside Glacier National Park in Montana. It is going to be a fun stay……with no internet access, and no television. Not that it’s an emergency, yo. Civilization during the day, but at night, it’ll just be the two of us, the cabin, the forest, the conversation, and the critters. Should be a fantastic break from the norm, and we will adore the peace and quiet without electronic interference.

But truthfully — I’m glad it’s only for one night. Not that the TV thing bothers me; it doesn’t. I can do without TV. It’s that dang internet and phone access…

Anyway. I’M FINE WITH IT. Get over it.

We’re spending three nights at the Crest Trail Lodge, which will serve as a “home base” of sorts as we visit several other places for daytrips (Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Seattle). That’s the part of the trip that will be most strenuous with hiking and general walking, so we plan to enjoy some fun downtime the next two days in Oregon.

Gee, can you tell I’m looking forward to the end of the school year? Not that I’m stressed, mind. I can quit thinking about upcoming performances and budget/program cuts anytime I want…

Calgon.