Just Cyd.

Potholes and daffodils were in full bloom in TN last weekend as I made my way home from Asheville. The daffodils look more like stealth plantings, rather than the beautifully curated highway fields of NC; it was almost pathetic to see a small clump of yellow and green in this giant swath of brown dead grass between asphalt. I'm also starting to recognize the state I'm in by its highways. Eastern NC is flat, but twisty-turny as it follows a river; KY is very up-and-down hilly, with some twists and turns; TN is a good mix of of the two, and not too much of either, but definitely more of both than Ohio. WV, which I will take on again Wednesday night, is more of a full-contact sport, and I have to remember that the second I cross the Ohio River in WV I need to slow the eff down because holy crap we're not in straight-flat Ohio anymore. VA starts to stretch out the aggressiveness of WV a bit, and bless them for their slow truck lanes on those long uphills. I could really do without that one descent on the way home, downhill and then into a left turn with nothing but dead drop off to the right. freaks me out every single time. I recognize it coming, now, and I can't decide if I should be proud that I know these landmarks in this 1000 mile round trip?

Turns out that (1) it's far more efficient to return the way I came and (2) the trip is downright pleasant when the world isn't on fire and I'm counting seconds until showtime. who knew? First leg of the trip down was rainy, and rain + night = unpleasant driving, but getting on the road earlier, and being closer to spring meant I had far more daylight than my last trip straight south. I need to remember that the world is AGGRESSIVELY THREE DIMENTIONAL once you cross the Ohio River, and make good use of Google Street View when booking hotels. I nearly choked when I saw the ascent required to get to Friday night's accommodations, and then took this photo just before leaving.

Asheville, as I was quickly reminded, is also aggressively three-dimensional. I try to study maps before I go, to get a vague lay of the land, major roads, etc, but the way things twist and turn and follow the topography, I'm hopelessly lost within seconds. Street parking in a hilly neighborhood was not my idea of a good time, to hiring a Lyft to the show was worth the money. I made my way to downtown, and because it was upper 60s and sunny, everyone and their dog was out and about and it was just too people-y for me. As much as I wanted to see the area around Citizen Vinyl in daylight, I also really wanted a nap. and food. I found my hotel, and then hit up Bojangles for Battle of the Biscuits, Part 3. At 2:45 I got checked into my hotel, unloaded, and collapsed onto the bed. I required 7 of the 8 pillow just to get comfy. Why do these fancypants pillows deflate so easily?

While resting prior to the show, i heard my phone go off a couple times, and I checked it -- my cousin Terri was also in Asheville, and did I have plans for breakfast? holy crap! I don't think we could've planned this if we tried! OK, she's actually my second cousin, as her grandfather and my father are [half] brothers 22 years apart. We are pretty sure the last time we saw each other was at my brother's HS graduation party. I know we've tried to connect a few times when she's been back in Ohio, but now that her mom isn't here, she really doesn't make it back. it was fantastic to see her and catch up, and to meet her husband, and hang with someone so much like me. she may not be a Bogner by blood, but by golly, she's definitely one of us. maybe all the good-crazy is from Grandma's side?

I spent more time than I'll ever admit being extremely juvenile about not getting to talk to Darren. It's ridiculous, I know, but my brain has decided we are equally invested in each other somehow, and him not having time for me set my little squirrel brain all a-tizzy. Now that I've had time to reflect on it, I realize what a ridiculous brat I'm being, especially given he was doing two shows, two nights in a row. It looks like he's quite possibly touring with CCL as their drummer which means yay paycheck for him, but who knows when I'll see him play his own stuff again. Those shows overlap with when I'll be back in the Triangle in April, so I know I won't see him at Flyleaf. Maybe I'll see him at WFLR, or the Eno House this Thursday?

I've already covered the nightmare that was the drive home from Asheville, so let's talk about the drive down, and the show itself.

First off, I had a side quest: I detoured to Frankfort KY to meet Theresa at 9720! She's one of my regulars at work, and she likes me (others think she's mean?!), and it wasn't too far off my route. completely surprised her, which was fantastic. we chatted for a bit, she sneakily paid for my snacks, and then I was back on the road. I'd passed Buffalo Trace Distillery on the way in, so I texted my friends that I was stopping by, and to get their requests in. They graciously offered up a golf card lift from the main entrance (ID checked and wristband given) to the gift shop, which was much appreciated. I picked up a bottle of bourbon cream for Beth, a bottle of regular bourbon just because, and some mini bottles for holiday fill-ins. another quick cart ride took me right to my car, and then I was on the road east then south, headed for Knoxville, where I'd head east for real to get to Asheville.

These two stops took a little longer than planned, but they weren't terrible. That said, I wasn't really keeping tabs on time too closely. Hit some traffic as I got into Knoxville, and when I started heading east, there was a section a ways off that was on fire. I repeat: THERE WAS A FIRE NEARISH TO THE HIGHWAY. gulp. add some lane-shifting and construction, and things were a bit more spicy than I like. Nearly got rear-ended by a work van, some dude apparently flooring it while I maintained a steady pace. On I-40, just after crossing into NC, things got extra-spicy: Smoke warnings, and actual wildfires. I did NOT have these on my road trip bingo card. The Black Bear fire had been sparked the day prior when a semi crashed on WB I-40, and the fire was spreading through the deeply parched forest and was up to the edge of the highway. it was also on top of the tunnels at Snowbird mountain. The interstate is only two lanes each direction, so when we hit construction and lane closures, thngs slowed down BAD. Twice. There may have been tears when I wasn't moving, but watching my arrival time get later and later.

I did, eventually, get to my hotel just as it got dark: 5:30pm. Doors were at 6, show was at 7, and I hate to be late. Checked in, took the fastest shower ever, got dressed and made my way to downtown Asheville. The dark and the very three-dimensional terrain made navigating hard, but I eventually found the parking garage and, on a hunch, got a handicap spot in the "full" lot. was able to waddle the 1.5 blocks to the venue, despite still being very tightly wound from the white-knuckle driving of the prior couple hours. I loved everything about the place. I didn't immediately see Zach or Darren, but with only 5 minutes until showtime, I spotted D and said hello, letting him know I had something for him and I'd see him after the show.

You see, at some point in the drive, I decided that $30 bottle of bourbon would be going to Darren, along with the Amy Hempel book I'd mentioned in Greensboro.

I got a drink (sparkling water) and sat in the back/center, hoping to both have an unobstructed view, and to not be in anyone's way with my giant bag and cane and whatnot. the seats were mostly full when Julie Odell took the stage (bandcamp | Instagram). She's another soft-spoken but beautiful acoustic singer/songwriter, and this was another show where I just wanted to close my eyes and just let the music wash over me. I was too stressed about dropping my drink or knocking my cane over, and knew D&Z were behind me, so I tried to stay as zen as I could.

About her third song, her daughter came down from the upper level, walked up beside the first row of seats, and silently showed off something she'd drawn in a small notebook. to the girl's credit, she didn't make any noise or cause a huge distraction, and to Julie's credit, she acknowledged her daughter without stopping her song or otherwise acting disrupted or put out. In face, she didn't mention it at all until she referenced her daughter at a later point.

Julie had one song that she couldn't get going right, so she got frustrated and moved on to the next. that next song is the one I fell in love with, and of course it's not on an album and I don't know the name. but he's recording soon (now?) and that will be included.

Not quite an hour into it, Julie was done and it was time for Darren to take the stage. All along people had continued to come in and find seats, and I found an older couple sitting in front of me, with his head blocking out Zach completely, and causing me to lean a bit to the right to see Darren in between them. turns out, that was Darren's producer Alan Weatherhead! I think D was a bit flustered by that, but he did announce his special guest from the stage and we all applauded as we should. They played their usual/basic set, but I noticed D was getting a bit more creative on the phrasing in a couple songs, like he's letting his hair down a bit. I like it.

After the show, I immediately said out loud "well, that was worth the drive" and Alan's wife/partner turned around and asked where I'd driven from. "Dayton, Ohio" was my reply, at which Alan turned around and a lovely conversation began. the usual shock from them, moreso when they learned it was Show #4 for me. they were further surprised to learn I'd only been following him for about 18 months. They told me about Madison, IN, a cute little river town across from Louisville that's worth checking out. They got up to talk to Darren, and I found Zach and talked to him. We discussed t-day plans and how he bleeds green and yellow for his beloved green bay packers. Bought Julie's album and had a discussion with two employees about my trek to see Darren play all over. it's a hell of a conversation starter. Ran into Julie in the restroom as her daughter quite literally climbed the walls, and discovered the dumbwaiter in the handicap stall.

When we came out, they'd damn near had the place shut down, just before 9pm. Darren was tearing down and distracted, so I asked where his stuff was that I could put the bag. He looked a bit annoyed and said "just give it to me" so I pulled out the Buffalo Trace bag and carefully handed it over. "there was a side quest on the way here. The book is in there, too" I said as his eyes jumped wide open and he stammered a reply. "take care, I'll see y'all in two weeks!" I chirped as I waddled out.

Stopped at a speedway on the way back to the hotel for dinner, since my room had a fridge and microwave, climbed into bed, and tried to find my alternate route home. also tried to sleep, knowing it'd be a rough drive home.

like many of my friends, I just realized that Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK. and I have TOMORROW to prepare for my trip to Asheville. whoops.

Nausea returned and has kept me down, so now I'm all panic/freak/stress.I did,at least, figure out how to pair my phone with this old logitech bluetooth keyboard, so typing on the fly will be easier, and I'm not spending $$ on a toy I truly don't need.

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Went on a limb and asked D if I could buy him and Z lunch on Saturday. If they're still in town, that is. who knows. I'll invite them to thanksgiving, too, if the convo steers that way. am I crazy? yeah, you betcha.

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Ben has covid. I've already told him that he is allowed to cancel my visit at any point, full stop. covid + end of semester + trip to visit tiktok hottie (which was already booked before I invited myself to crash) is a LOT to take on at once. I'm the most reasonable thing to cut.

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work continues to suck. There was a job posting yesterday that is the next logical step in the "career progression" but this morning it had vanished. So I emailed the hiring mgr. updated my career stuff in workday. notified my boss as I'm required to, since the jerk dragged his feet on getting my pay grade corrected and now nothing can be done until HR planning is over. fucker. Still need to puolish up that resume with my Mad Skillz and get it out there. not excited about haing to go back into the office (any office), but more money and less suckage would be a good thing. and, tbh, i might be going a bit feral. idk.

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ok, love this keyboard. sucks the tablet is dead, but being to type on real keys on my phone is fabulous!! maybe i'll be able to use this more and help keep the brain weasels calm. so much in these brainz. must get it all out! going to charge this baby up and maybe take her along to Asheville.