One of the most frazzling things that can happen to a person is to have one's wallet stolen. It was the second Friday of the month at Casa Nueva. International Dance Night was happening and I was there for a drink with Kate and Jen. We got up to dance for a moment, I left my jacket in the booth and when I went to retrieve it minutes later it was gone! I swore that I saw Dave Baer with it on, cantering down Court Street, but I am most likely jumping to conclusions. The jacket had my wallet in it along with my key ring (car, storage, and miscellaneous keys in it). Perhaps it was an omen for a hard winter, maybe it was fate, or it could have been a drunk coincidence, but Friday January 11th was the night I lost my wallet.
January had other promises, too. I lost my job working for Stalwart Construction while Southeast Engine was on tour in the South. We were staying in Athens, Georgia when we all heard the news (3 of the 4 touring members of the band worked for Stalwart). It was a crushing blow to Leo and me because we had to find other resources for money. Rem was able to keep the job with limited hours because of his work experience and because of the job's role in his ability to support himself and his wife Amanda. Our bosses were sympathetic to the situation but it was the only thing that could be done. There were about 12 guys on the crew in total and about 8 of them had to be let go. What happened principally was that there was an accounting error in the realm of employees workman's compensation funds which led to a giant underestimation -- something like $26,000 the company owed in fees. This is paraphrasing but the gist is there.
I ended up looking for more jobs but no one was hiring. Morale was a little low, the economics of it all was disheartening, and I longed for something more. I did not find any work anywhere and I was longing to be back in school or just the feeling that I was actually working for something. Being in the band was enjoyable but it was not leading to fulfillment for me. I realized this at this time and I decided that I must go back to school. Everyone in the band supported me and it wasn't bad at all. So then I would wait and tour until South by Southwest was over and I would go back to school.
I ended up replacing my driver's license, student ID, and credit cards too after the blowing theft. I could see by then that my life was headed in a new direction.
*****Grating Nights*****
Outside of Donkey Coffee & Espresso ~ The Best Coffeehouse in Ohio ~. It was already cold out that night at the beginning of January and I was having a nice conversation with Emily and Jessie.
*****For My Coat, Wherever I May Find Her*****
Shivering outside of the Donkey. This was the jacket that was stolen days later at Casa Nueva.
*****Mad World*****
*****Costumes*****
Court Street across from the Courthouse and China King. This is where Banana Road is. It used to be a great record store called School Kids records, that is, until Wal-Mart came to Athens and ran it out of business. Today you can get vintage costumes and posters there for reasonable prices. For example, you can get 6 black German-made wizard outfits there for only $96.00US.
*****Glasses*****
I bought this new pair of glasses with a part of the paycheck I got in December. My old pair broke on tour back in November so it was nice to have some to wear again. The month in between was difficult for any time my contacts were bothering me or during the night.
*****Hadley*****
Hadley is a white lab. Or yellow lab. Or lab mix? Either way, she was once Leo's dog but is now Rem and Amanda's dog. Leo got her at the pound and was attracted to her because she was the weirdest looking dog in there. Hadley is so bizarre. At times she seems like she is depressed, she most always looks worried, and she is terrified of thunder. She hides underneath Rem and Amanda's bed during thunderstorms only to realize later that she cannot get out from under the bed! Her downfall is that she is so protective. It is dangerous to have Hadley in front of the house, even on a leash. She has attacked several visitors but none of them had any injuries. She usually doesn't like people she just meets but there are exceptions. When she gets to know you, though, she generally warms up and is a very sweet dog.
*****Poofy Rope*****
This was taken at a gas station on our way to Gainesville, Florida for a series of small house shows at Leo's brother's apartment. We all bought a bunch of hats at the store. Rem's hat read "Florida: Licensed to Party," Leo's said "Jesus is Lord: 'Nuff Said," Jessie's read "I Will Be back for you. Signed, Jesus," and mine said "Ask me about my great grandkids."
*****Wetlands*****
We went for a bird-watching expedition with Leo's brother John down at a preserve near Gainesville. It was spectacular and John was very informative. If you look closely at this picture, you will be able to see an alligator at the edge of the water.
*****Brush*****
This was on the trail of our bird-watching hike.
*****Blue Team vs. Red Team*****
A shuffle board at the Map Room in Charleston, South Carolina.
Donkey Coffee and Espresso...
Nostra Nova played its last show at the Nelsonville Music Festival on May 18th. One of the headliners for the festival and for that night were the Avett Brothers. Truthfully, I was not impressed a whole lot by what they were doing musically. It seemed a little grandiose but to their defense they had great energy behind their stage presence. And they were all very handsome, too.
I don't know if I can talk about our secret club too much but this was our first meeting. Our club is called We are Here and Glad (up to reconsideration). It primarily consists of Caitlin, Me, and Larry but Jamie was at this dinner and so was Julia. 
Matt is a good friend of mine and he composes wondrous waves (as in sine, saw tooth, square etc.) and sometimes plays them for Us All. I love you Matt.
She looks like a pirate trying to steal some treasure. 
Great news for Adam and Amanda Remnant -- they are buying 3 Ring Street! They made an offer to the current owner (who had just bought the house) and it has all panned out. They close on the house on July 30th. The house itself, I think, is one of the most interesting houses in all of Athens. It has so much character, whether in plain daylight or in the dark shadows at night. I remember Rem listening to Bonnie "Prince" Billy's song A Knight at Night one morning at home -- the lyrics
Weird Spring weather.
I took this a couple days after school was over and before I left for the summer. It was somewhat of a candid shot in my car. She is so beautiful!
Another shot of 3 Ring Street.
Jamie is probably my best friend in the world. We communicate in our own wavelength -- perhaps the wavelength between green and blue. It is not indigo, however,...there is just no way that it is indigo. Jamie has written some songs that speak to me. One day, when he records these songs, look out for the one's called Blue Skies or American Chesnutt Tree.
Outside of Donkey Coffee & Espresso ~ The Best Coffeehouse in Ohio ~. It was already cold out that night at the beginning of January and I was having a nice conversation with Emily and Jessie.
Shivering outside of the Donkey. This was the jacket that was stolen days later at Casa Nueva. 
Court Street across from the Courthouse and China King. This is where Banana Road is. It used to be a great record store called School Kids records, that is, until Wal-Mart came to Athens and ran it out of business. Today you can get vintage costumes and posters there for reasonable prices. For example, you can get 6 black German-made wizard outfits there for only $96.00US. 
I bought this new pair of glasses with a part of the paycheck I got in December. My old pair broke on tour back in November so it was nice to have some to wear again. The month in between was difficult for any time my contacts were bothering me or during the night.
Hadley is a white lab. Or yellow lab. Or lab mix? Either way, she was once Leo's dog but is now Rem and Amanda's dog. Leo got her at the pound and was attracted to her because she was the weirdest looking dog in there. Hadley is so bizarre. At times she seems like she is depressed, she most always looks worried, and she is terrified of thunder. She hides underneath Rem and Amanda's bed during thunderstorms only to realize later that she cannot get out from under the bed! Her downfall is that she is so protective. It is dangerous to have Hadley in front of the house, even on a leash. She has attacked several visitors but none of them had any injuries. She usually doesn't like people she just meets but there are exceptions. When she gets to know you, though, she generally warms up and is a very sweet dog.
This was taken at a gas station on our way to Gainesville, Florida for a series of small house shows at Leo's brother's apartment. We all bought a bunch of hats at the store. Rem's hat read "Florida: Licensed to Party," Leo's said "Jesus is Lord: 'Nuff Said," Jessie's read "I Will Be back for you. Signed, Jesus," and mine said "Ask me about my great grandkids."
We went for a bird-watching expedition with Leo's brother John down at a preserve near Gainesville. It was spectacular and John was very informative. If you look closely at this picture, you will be able to see an alligator at the edge of the water.
This was on the trail of our bird-watching hike.
