It's been a while! Here's to 2010!

Click on the whole picture to see me playing a song with Nate and Ike from the Wilders with Andrew Heist, Joe Baxter, Kris Jones, Jr. Kane, and Lindy Jones on stage at the Alaskan Bar this last Friday. Maybe the swooniest moment of my life :)


Holas friends and family!

I am sitting in my new studio apartment at 401 8th St. apt 106 in snowy downtown Juneau, Alaska. I love this place, as it's not only completey adorable...but all MINE! My new boss at the State of Alaska was kind enough to give me his couch he didn't need (which is like a brand new suede lovely thing) and all my coworkers and neighbors are helping me get set up with all those little things i need to going...

So in a nutshell it's been a rough winter. Weather-wise Juneau has seen a very mild very dry season, but emotionally the dark loneliness took its toll on me. I have the most amazing friends in the world and an amazing family of people surrounding me that was the only way I could have gotten through it. The Eaglecrest Ski Area bus driving job was not something I found to be enjoyable nor lucrative. The schedule ruined my social life (which sounds lame, but when it's dark at 3:15pm until 9am you need to dance it off) and there was a dozen other things that didn't jive with what I found I truly needed in a job. So I applied to the Permanent Fund Dividend division at the State of Alaska and was hired as an initial PFD processor. I am on a team of "gatekeepers" who open all the mail and process the applications and supporting documents of Alaskans who wish to receive their sweet oil money. I love my coworkers and the job is really nice...and a five minute walk from my front door!!! Being downtown, living, working...it's SO nice. SO NICE. ah!

It's been a really great new year thus far. Between the new place, the new job, and spring and light getting closer i feel so happy with my situation right now. I just went to the doctor (cause i have BENEFITS!)who said 90% of my health issues I brought up were stress related. With good diet, exercise, and belly laughs I should be able to come out of the slump I was in healthier and happier than ever before. It's so nice to feel back on track!!!

I can't say enough how happy I am playing music with my best friends. The bass is such a deeply rewarding hobby. I want to know everything and really sink my teeth into all aspects of learning it. This last weekend, we were lucky enough to have two amazing musicians from Kansas City, MO in town to pick and play with. Ike and Nate from The Wilders country band somehow in three days brought some seriously buried happiness and inspiration from deep within. We played and sang and they were so supportive and sweet. There's nothing better than getting musical support from such amazing performers. With my Alaska folk festival performance on the very near horizon (www.alaskafolkfest.org for our schedule)I really needed some positive reinforcement. They brought a lot of happiness into this snowy southeastern Alaskan city. I am so thankful to have met friends I will keep forever, and an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.

Folk Fest is coming soon, and I'm so looking forward to seeing all the Alaskans and having a week of music and laughter. I will post pictures and make sure to keep everyone posted on when our band "Drive it Home" will perform.

I recently had an art review published in the local newspaper, the Juneau Empire and am on the official roster for hosting the country and bluegrass radio show at the radio station Tuesday nights. I will be better about keeping everyone updated on when these things happen :)

Miss you all, love you lots! Things are looking up. Fluffy snowflakes are falling on Mt. Roberts and Mt. Juneau at the top of Gold street...perfect blustery day to take a bath and practice some bass. More soon! Promise!!!