Peanutbutter and Bread Fund

Let the horns sound out! I HAD A GREAT TIME LAST NIGHT!

Yes, it's true. I played the Milkyway in Jamaica Plain and there were people there to see me, and the open mic host actually introduced herself to me and asked if there was anything I needed. My friend Kathryn asked, "Did she read your blog?" Doesn't EVERYBODY? Ha!

It was a night beginning with nervewracking experience. Nathan was late coming home, so I opted to drive his car, with Coppelia to JP, and meet him there. Well, it had been 3 years since I'd driven in Boston and if you don't have a specific idea of how to get to a place--especially Jamaica Plain--it can get dangerously confusing. Coppelia, who has never driven in Boston, helped with directions and well, let's just say we went EVERYWHERE, BUT JAMAICA PLAIN. I was reminded at why people hate to drive in this city. Every road is haphazardly thrown together, like a Frankenstein of roads and highways, with no clear markings. We ended up at the Milkyway literally an hour later. In the meantime, we had been to Roxbury and the South End and then through Roxbury again, and by Fenway Park, and the Art museum. Nathan called us from the club wondering where the heck we were. Once on Huntington Ave., Coppelia lead the way with confidence, and we made our way.

I walked into a warm room, with old friends waiting at the tables and at the bar. They all greeted me with excitement and affection. Note to the world: THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED AFTER DRIVING AROUND IN CONFUSED CIRCLES FOR AN HOUR. I got a chance to see my friend Erica (hi Erica!) that I hadn't seen in 9 years, which was so great. Kathryn had arranged a bunch of people from my old workplace, Partners In Health, to come.

Even though I forgot my EQ box, which totally aggravated the sound guy (don't ever aggravate the sound guy), I played my half hour set and it felt good. Afterwards an open mic participant came over to me and said, "You don't even make any mistakes!" I said, rather rockstar-ish, "Oh, I make mistakes! I am just so glad YOU don't see them!"

People signed my mailing list and I even sold CDs to people I knew and, get this, COMPLETE STRANGERS. Even Nancy, the host, bought one. She told me to add the money to my "Peanutbutter and bread fund." Boy, she doesn't know how true that is! Did I mention that I think she may be the best open mic host in the world?

As chance would have it, Nathan and Coppelia can't come to Northampton tonight, so I get to drive his car. I am sorry that they can't come, but am SO EXCITED to drive to Northampton. This means a road trip with me at the helm, listening to music and watching the skyline. It's my last date of this little tour. More adventure, hopefully more friends tonight, and more nickels in my pocket for a feast of peanutbutter and bread!