My computer crashed about four days ago. Drag. It serves as my work station and entertainment centre on the road and without it I’m seriously off my game. Just borrowed Audio guru Steve’s laptop for a quick fix.

Playing the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC was a night I won’t soon forget. The Hammerstein is one of those Holy Shrines in music. The list of bands who’ve played there is far too long to list, but we are in the company of the music elite with our name on the billboard at the Hammerstein.  

The storm sure put a damper on the day off on Sunday. T’was not fit to put the dog out; as my grandmother would say.

I’m sure there are lovely neighborhoods in Norfolk. We were not in one on Tuesday.  I walked from the bus to a Laundromat only a few hundred feet down the street and feared for my life every step. After years of traveling, I’ve become savvy when it comes to avoiding dodgy areas, but there was no escaping the shady characters that stood behind the Liquor Store and on the Laundromat steps. Two gents in baggy pants, oversized hoodies and parkas were looking pretty nervous when this long haired freaky dude lugged his bag o’ dirty duds to the cleaners.  

Then a large black van came around the corner and made a deliberate turn towards the over clothed dudes and now myself as I mounted the sidewalk. As the van came to a sudden stop in front of the Laundromat, the large side door slowly slid open. I did not think much of it, but the two lads ran like escaping prisoners around the corner.

OK. Now I’m spooked. I figure that my nine lives are used up and my extensive run on luck is finally up. I am about to die in a drive by shooting.  

The van door fully opens and a lady who must be in her eighties steps from the van carrying a basket of dirty laundry. I hold the door open for her and she says, ‘Why, thank-you Son.”

I dropped my bag of clothes with the attendant. 90 minutes later I begged one of the guys to come with me to get it.  Like I said, I’m sure there must be a lovely stroll to be had in Norfolk. I look forward to having it.

Charlotte, NC tonight.  Rock on.

Cheers,
Alan