I'm down in Eugene, OR now. I still haven't gotten a definitive answer on whether it's "EU-gene" or "eu-GENE". Maybe the accent isn't all that important. Come to think of it, it doesn't seem like most people in the northwest have an accent...? I've been told that a good number of the people here originally came from the midwest, so maybe that's why I'm not picking up on it. They're speaking my language. You know what else is speaking my language? A table full crackers and dips, roll-ups, sandwiches and wings, as well as a make your own cheesecake station(vanilla wafers, cheesecake dip and cherry pie filling).

Thanks EU-GENE.

I played in Bellevue last night. Still in Microsoft country. I start heading south today after I pick up my rental car (I've been borrowing some friends' car for the past couple days). There have definitely been some interesting stops already on the tour. There was the bridal shower concert on Saturday, and then last night's concert was for a parent group. Of course, in order to qualify as a parent you have to have a kid, so there were a bunch of them as well. It was a challenge to reach both demographics, but I think adding "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" to the middle of the set really helped. Now tonight, I'm playing for someone who doesn't even know I'm coming! As if walking into a stranger's living room isn't enough. Now, they don't even know I'm coming! (It's a surprise party). Bring it on!

Busy weekend! It started with a concert in West Seattle at a house overlooking the Puget Sound. The only problem was it was dark and I couldn't see it. So, I focused on what I could see- the people in the house and some great desserts.


Saturday night was a concert in Seattle. A bridal shower actually! I never thought I'd be on the inside of one of those. Fellas, you'd never believe it. They talk and eat good chocolate!



Last night was another concert in Seattle. Homemade soup was on the menu- I think there was ginger, garlic, fresh washington apples, and a lot of other goodness in it. I'm appreciating more and more the versatility of soup. I'm also appreciating more and more people who enjoy listening to music. Thank you Seattle.


Of course the weekend had a few gaps that were filled with some hiking (This photo is from Lake Serene- and it was.)


...as well as some general sight-seeing.
I call this one "Sleeping-a-little-less in Seattle."

Now I'm starting a full week of concerts that will take me to northern California. So much for a weekend off to prepare for it. I wonder if I should take a vacation? Wait, I'm sort of on one right now...I get so confused.

You might be confused by this picture. I am too. I flew into Seattle last night and met up with my buddy Andy and a couple of his friends. They were at a foam pit practicing jumps and flips to get ready for ski season. I got there just in time to watch this magic moment. I'd love to describe for you what's going on in the picture, but I really don't know. I do know that there were a lot of dust particles in the air, and that's what is causing all the glowing spots. Other than that, you're on your own. I just thought you might enjoy the photo. I've got a show to play tonight- the first of about 20 on this West Coast tour. Here we go!

Here's something weird...and pretty much nasty. Apparently Skittles is trying to take over the M&M market by coming out with chocolate Skittles! Yuck. Someone gave me a bag of Halloween candy and they were in there. Chocolate Skittles. I tried my best, but I could only finish about half of the little bag. I don't understand why people don't just stick with what they're good at. I mean, you don't see me trying to play lawn tennis in Spain do you?

Whoah, sorry! That was very random. Except for the fact that it wasn't. See, I was looking at some of my website statistics. It tracks things like how many visits I get and what countries they come from. It also tells me how people found my website as a result of a internet search. So, for example, if someone typed in "Troast musician" they might get to my website. Well I was looking over the data, and apparently someone got to my website by typing "2008 lawn tennis guestbook in spain"! I had to check it out. Sure enough. On the 3rd page of results there was a link to my website guestbook! First of all, I have no idea what someone would be hoping to find by typing in "2008 lawn tennis guestbook in spain". Secondly, what would make them think my website had anything to do with that?! (Of course, I am glad they stopped by!) That's the power of the internet for you- taking you down all sorts of sidetracks you never planned on. It's kind of like opening a bag of chocolate Skittles- probably not a good use of your time, but you can sure find some weird stuff!

Thanks to everyone at camp Windy Gap for a great weekend! Here's a group photo, including some people taking their own group photos.

I made the long trek back to WI today/tonight. Not having a full night's sleep at camp last night, I wasn't sure if I'd be up for it. But with a well timed cappuccino and Red Bull I arrived with enough energy left over to type up a quick blog.


I reached a milestone on the trip- 100k miles on my car's odometer! Unfortunately, it happened before my caffeine break, so I wasn't quite on top of my game. I got a photo 3 miles past the mark. Here's hoping to many more miles! I go sleep now.

I made the 11-12 hr. drive down to North Carolina yesterday. Now I'm getting ready to play at camp Windy Gap. It's right near Asheville, NC, which I've heard a lot about. Since I had some time today, I drove into town to do a little exploring. After checking out some local art, listening to some street musicians, and eating a big bowl of granola like a good local would do, I headed out to do some hiking and cruise up the Blue Ridge Parkway a bit. It was great. As I drove up the Parkway, Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" came on the radio- a local station with a little static, but you better believe I didn't change it. It was kind of one of those "I'm inside a movie" moments. Complete with a backdrop - the fall colors are still alive and well here. Not bold anymore, but still impressive. I would describe it as a rusty pumpkin with caramel on it. Not good to eat, but very nice to look at.

Well, my roommate's wedding was great. I danced the night away.

Now I'm in MI, getting my car tuned up for the next trip. Tires rotated, balanced and filled with nitrogen, oil changed, and this morning, I finally got my brakes checked. Turns out they just needed to be smoothed out and not replaced. That was good news for the budget!

While I waited for my brakes to be done, I decided to take a walk. I happened to walk past a Pfaltzgraff store that was having a clearance sale. Now I'm not one to easily spend money, but today, I think I made the ultimate impulse buy. I bought a set of silverware! I definitely did not plan on buying silverware today! But I figured when I do eventually get back to WI and move into my new place, I'll need something to eat with. So, for only $30, regularly $75, I got 8 settings of some nice new silverware PLUS a butter knife, serving spoon, sugar shell, etc. Awesome! Pass the potatoes please.

I went bowling last night. The quality of this photo is a little under par- I don't know why I used a golf analogy when I'm talking about bowling (and actually, in golf, under par is a good thing...?). Anyway, I took the photo with the camera on my phone, and then took a picture of my phone with my camera when I got back. Confused yet? The important thing is the bottom line on the screen. It's hard to see, but there are five little "X"'s in a row on frames 5 through 9. Yep, I bowled 5 strikes in a row for the first time in my life! I forgot what they called it. I know 3 strikes is a Turkey, and I'm pretty sure 4 was a Four-banger, but I think for 5 it just said Five in a Row! So I think I'll invent something. How about "Something I could only do once in my life!" ?

I'm leaving Nashville today to head to a wedding near Cleveland. It's a good day. I just got word that I've got a new nephew! That's 9 nieces and nephews. Forget bowling, we're ready for baseball.

Somebody sent me this photo. Apparently, politics is in my blood. Or maybe just making buttons (or bumper stickers) is.