I ROCK THE FANNIE PACK

Yeah, I know, it's been a while. I've been working like a mad woman. Here's my news. I accepted the management position that was offered. What that means for me: I will be training in Orlando for five weeks. Then I'm back doing pretty much the same thing I was doing before with a few added responsibilities, and a whole lot more pay. I plan on saving that money and finally working on the recording project of my dreams. Well, that and investing in more fabulous shoes. That was a given though. I went back and forth with this decision for so long because I was worried that going into management would keep me from performing. But here's the thing. In the last year, I haven't been in a show (a full blown one anyway) and that year went very fast. So, what's another year of that making some money? Paying off my student loans and getting out of debt will be such a relief and then I'll be able to pursue other opportunities.



And that's that.



The excitement for the day...a server passed out at work. I noticed she was a bit out of sorts and asked her if she was ok. She said she was fine, I walked into the kitchen and about a minute later I had people run into the kitchen saying she was on the floor shaking. She was in and out of consciousness, seizing, and I was worried she was having trouble breathing. I actually kept very calm, had someone call 911, and stayed with her to make sure she had clear airways. She is one of the sweetest girls I know and it broke my heart to see her in that condition. The paramedics arrived and took over for me and I was happy to know that I did all the right things. Phew! I was given an update later in the day that she was doing fine. The hospital was keeping her overnight just to run tests and observe her. She's in my prayers and I hope to see her smiling face very soon.

Just gettin around to ..

I haven't even had the energy to write about my little Barton family adventure last week. Mom and Pop Barton, accompanied by 'lil sis Cami came to visit. First of all, they flew into Rochester and drove down to NYC in a van. Day one, crash at our place, order Chinese and go to bed WAY too early. I was the only one up and trying to be quiet, but this damn keyboard is so loud. I finally gave in to the dark and quiet apartment before Ty could get home. Day two, wake up exceptionally early for a breakfast at work. Barton's meet me there and we lunch. I meet them after I get off and it's shopping time. YEAH! We spent almost five hours scouring all the hot spots for the best deals and dragged ourselves home to crash. Day three, drove to Cooperstown for the Base Ball Hall of Fame. Here's where the adventure began.



So, we had this little GPS system, you know...the one with the lady that gives you all your directions. "In one point three miles make a left then keep right." Somewhere along the way, we simply HAD to stop for McDonalds ice cream. GPS system...yeah...it didn't like that. Here's how the next few hours went. "Turn right, then right...recalculating...drive point two miles then turn left...recalculating..." Before long we were in the middle of nowhere turning onto dirt roads and crossing one lane wooden bridges. I thought this would make the perfect horror moviesome demon GPS system that leads us to certain doom and death. HAHAHA! We all began to mimic the voice..."you asshole, you should have turned right" or "recalculating bitch, and just for that..." You get the picture.



Funny thing is...the damn thing was right. Just as we were all losing hope and getting a little nervous we heard, "turn left and arrive at destination." She was right and we made it safe and sound.



Ty was in heaven and I let him enjoy every minute. I think he read absolutely everything in the museum. Like a kid in a candy shop, all starry eyed and bustin' at the seams with enthusiasm. It was great to see him so happy.



We had a little dinner...not too fun...there was a hair (not mine) wrapped up in my wrap. Lost my appetite after that.



Then it was onto the next city and our hotel for the night in lovely Herkimer. That's right, I said HERKIMER. After another scary experience with the evil GPS, we arrived in Herkimer to find the motel was possibly the worst dive we've ever seen. We stepped one foot into the door and immediately turned around to find another place to stay...it was the smell...can't describe it and don't want to talk about it...BLECHHH. Thanks to...well...me...we realized we were only 15 minutes away from Utica. I remembered we stayed at a beautiful hotel there on tour. ROCHELLE TO THE RESCUE! We stayed at the Hotel Utica that night and I had the exact same room that Deborah and I shared on tour. What are the chances...hmmm...slim to none. I thought it was cool.



Day four, Palmyra, NY. This was an absolutely beautiful day. We all spent time hiking up Hill Cumorah and wandering through the Sacred Grove (a lush forest with the most beautiful trees and an indescribable peace).



Day five, drive to Niagara Falls. This was the first time I had ever been there. Truly magnificent. This was a whirlwind stop though. After a little confusion with Miss GPS, and well, not really knowing that much about Canada, we finally arrived at the falls just in time to see it, eat lunch and turn around. We hurried to the airport in Buffalo and flew home to NYC.



And that was that.



I'm still recovering.

Rare moments that capture my spirit and temporarily transport me...

I stand on a deserted subway platform well into the night. It will be at least another twenty minutes before there is any sign of a train. I left the city behind me as I descended into the transportation catacombs. As I make my way to the center of the platform I become acutely aware of the silence around me. I am completely alone. Although it is silent, I can still feel the energy of the moving city swirling above me. My senses begin to heighten. The barriers I have built to block out the noise and confusion surrender to the silence and I quietly relax. With my newly heightened senses I begin to take in my surroundings. I listen ever so closely to hear the drip from the street level above creating urban stalagmites throughout the intricate caves of cement and steel. I focus into the blackness hoping to catch the first glimpse of light that reflects in the dark tunnel, creating an eerie cloud of glowing dust. Squinting becomes hopeless and I yield my sight to allow my skin to feel the air around me, eager for a slight breeze or change in direction. In this instant I am transported to a state of just being and complete solidarity. Then I feel it, the gentle rumble below my feet, the air moving quickly past my leg and across my face. Within seconds lights glare through the tunnel and a train charges into the station. With a screeching halt the train slows to a stop and doors open in front of me. I take a step, the doors close behind me and I am pulled back into the rapids. My silent moment is a fleeting memory as I battle my way through the waters, but I smile knowing that for an instant, in New York City, I found silence and peace.

So, my friend and co-worker Rosa had a baby yesterday. Sweet little thing...she named him Damien. HAHAHA! In all seriousness though, I'm sure he's a sweet little angel boy.

I have family here throughout the weekend. It's so refreshing to have people who you love and love you back around. It's just what I needed right now.

Tomorrow I'm headed to work early for a couple breakfasts. Not too thrilled about that, but then it's shoppin' time with Mama and Papa Barton and that will make the sun shine bright on any rainy day. Which, by the way, it will not stop raining. June. That's really all I have to say about that.

Now I'm off to entertain.

When you got it,...you got it

...and Mr. Ed Ved...still got it.

That's right. I wasn't duped and I did get tickets to Pearl Jam last night. The show was incredible. It was the last show on the first leg of their tour, Giants stadium was completely full and the energy level could have lifted the roof right off the building. I was amused by crowd. First of all they were all around my same age, which was both refreshing and scary. I really don't feel that different from the time I first heard the band, which happened to be 15 years ago...but who's counting.

Nostalgic.

Good times.

FOUR HOURS

That's how long it took me to get home from work today. Why, you ask? People here are savages. Savages throw trash on the subway tracks. This in turn clogs the waterways and when it rains...the subway floods. When the subway floods, it doesn't run and thousands of people are stranded. I was finally able to squeeze onto the 7 train to FLUSHING!!! Then, seeing as though the line for the bus was over 6 blocks long, I walked.

The only plus side to my day...

I met some of the crew from the Pearl Jam tour, i.e. lights and sounds guys. They were so incredibly nice and we talked for a bit. I gave them a good deal on the food and they gave me VIP tickets to see the show tomorrow. So, I must rest 'cause I'm seein' Pearl Jam tomorrow night. Who rocks? Um yeah...that'd be me.

Introspective cerebration...absolutely not

Throwing all sanity and inhibition to the wind is an exhilarating experience. Because these moments are few and far between for me these days, when they happen, they happen in a big way. Thus was the case last night when I joined my coworkers for a mini music fest at Siberia. My buddy Joe was in the first band, Shotgun Wedding. I was very impressed with them and they got my blood pumpin'. Next up...The Legendary 10oz...that's right, comprised solely of Hard Rock servers banning together to create an authentic musical experience that ROCKS!!! This is when my alter ego, we'll call her Libby, decided to make an appearance. I joined the ranks of my fellow employees and began dancing like a crazy woman. I didn't care what anyone thought and soon others joined in. This went on for the entire 10oz set. I took a short break to catch my breath while the Adrenals set up (my friend, Bethany's band). As soon as the music started I was right back in there. I think, together with Legendary 10oz members, Aaron, Cliff and Josh we created a vortex of dance energy that transcended a parallel universe. At one point I had so many endorphins I had chills all over, up and down my spine. Too much fun I tell ya.



The night ended. Along with everyone else, I was drenched in sweat, and although I was tired, I was on such a high. Who needs drugs or alcohol and why would you want that shit to ruin this feeling. Can't beat it...well, maybe one other thing can beat it, but it's a close second.



I think what would have made the night 'perfect' is if I had been one of the performers...if I had a band, and we rocked. Maybe one day I'll finally have the courage to make that dream a reality.





Speaking of parallel universes...



Work has been crazy lately. All manner of life forms have wandered through Times Square and right into Hard Rock. I can't even begin to tell you everything, but here's a few key words and phrases and I'll let your imagination run wild: stolen credit cards, Fleet Week, "My TEETH! You threw away my teeth", NYPD, groups of 200-300 teenagers, asthma attacks, ambulances, more NYPD, and one little person in charge...me.



The missing teeth was the highlight, a blog wouldn't do it justice. It's too funny, starting with the Russian server with a dry sense of humor to the crazy old lady digging through the trash, sobbing one second and screaming the next. An experience I'll never forget.


With all this said, I'm now going to take a nap and rest my sore body. Obviously the dancing took a toll. Guess I'm not a teenager anymore.