Music City

Time to catch up. As you may or may not know, last week I decided to toss up everything I knew about my life in favor of a significant change. I decided to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to move to Nashville, TN to perform with Music City Mystique until the end of April. This move is not only a fantastic chance to gain some closure for my seemingly never-ending marching career, but also a chance to really put myself out in front of people in the music capitol of the western hemisphere.

So I packed a basket full of clothes, my half-sized keyboard, my laptop, and other essentials in my car and set out for Tennessee last Thursday afternoon. This was my first long drive on my own. I was apprehensive before leaving, not because I was necessarily afraid of what would happen once I got here, but because I was afraid of actually making it here. My '98 Ford Escort did not let me down though - she never has, and I am thankful for that.

Google Maps estimated about 17 hours of drive time. Of course, being alone, I decided to take my time. No  speeding allowed, and frequent breaks so as to stay aware and awake.

Somewhere in the middle of Kansas it hit me that for the first time in my entire life, I was completely, 100% alone. Other vehicles were few and far between, no houses, no people, infrequent departures from the highway. Just fields and fields of emptiness and a road that went straight for hours. I was completely alone, completely vulnerable to anything that could have happened. If I blew a tire, I literally would have been straight fucked - no phone, no spare (please don't tell my mom that), and of course (fuck Kansas) no phone reception. Somewhere a midst the knowledge of my own possible doom, the sun began to set and I could do nothing but smile. I sang in my car, bobbed my head to the playlist my boyfriend made me, and enjoyed every second of that ride.

And let me tell you, since you have made it this far: I stopped for coffee every once in awhile. And just when you thought that your last cup of highway-side coffee was the worst you have ever had in your life, I can promise you that the next will in fact be even worse. I shuddered my way through a lot of coffee and a lot of water - nothing better to keep you awake than caffeine and a full bladder.

After about nine hours, I stopped in Topeka, KS for a few hours of sleep. I don't remember the last time I have been in a Motel 6, but good god that was the sketchiest place I have ever been. I ran to and from my car, and woke up after only three hours thanks to the paper-thin walls and noisy circle of neighbors.

Left Topeka by about 7AM, anticipating about 10 hours of road time, not including time for stops. The day was uneventful; by about "lunch"time, I found myself driving through more urban parts of the country - St. Louis and all of the people and traffic included. This was not very fun; definitely prefer the rural views and lack of people.

Once all the people were gone though, the drive was gorgeous. I am so excited for spring in a humid part of the country. I was on highway 24 for several hours as I drove through Kentucky and Tennessee, until I came to hill that revealed the city of Nashville to me. I almost screamed with excitement.

I pulled into the parking lot of the school just in time for rehearsal to begin - completely sleep-deprived and hungry, petting the dashboard of my tired car and congratulating her on a safe arrival.

Rehearsal then lasted until Sunday. I could not begin give you an adequate summary of this show and this ensemble, but rest assured that I could not be more excited for the coming weeks. Seriously.

After a weekend of rehearsal I have finally settled down a little bit in Murfreesboro with gracious new friends and located the Panera Bread where I may be conducting a majority of my internet activity.  You can expect a lot of new material and music in the near future. I can feel the inspiration self-multiplying inside my brain, trying to burst.

Thank you for reading. I am sorry this was so long.