Tour Diary April 18, 2007
Life is beautiful. And strange. And indescribable. And unexplainable. And sometimes tragic. Birth, Life, Death, Resurrection. Wahe Guru. Wow God.

As life would have it, we were on our way to the next show as we drove past the exit for Virginia Tech today. I noticed a young woman passing us, sobbing as she was driving down the road. I couldn’t help but wonder who she knew, if anyone, that was effected by this unthinkable tragedy.

I won’t watch the news when they continually run and rerun this sick boy’s words and images. I don’t want any part of him in my head. I’ll leave that to the experts.

I am choosing to turn off my TV when the media chooses to give him airtime again and again. There’s a difference between being informed and innundated. Maybe I can respect and remember the families and victims in some other way.

Live.



Tour Diary April 19, 2007

This last evening at Gravity Lounge in Charlottesville had a residue of sadness about it. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I was projecting onto the audience the same awkward grief that we feel when we try to process a tragedy of such great proportions. An event that reaches us personally, metaphysically, even when it seems in the physical realm like it ought not to. We are all connected, so the news media hums on this vibration. And it gets bigger. As if it wasn’t already so large and so unwieldy. Everybody is doing their job.

It is all as it should be.

I try to process that last statement on a daily basis. Many would disagree with that.

I’m not hear to impress or rewire anyone. I don’t want to convert you or even enlighten you.

I do like to ask questions. I like provocative conversation. But I have been blessed with many teachers in this life, one of which taught me this. It is all as it should be.

Try explaining this to the parents of the victims. Try telling that to the families of any soldier who had his body obliterated in Iraq and is now recovering in a less than adequate facility sponsored by the same government that gave him his orders.

I promised myself I wouldn’t get into this stuff here. But it’s life. And it’s so damn messy. And it won’t be ignored.

I don’t have all the answers. I’m very wary of anyone who claims they do. There is a reason for mystery. There is a reason for doubt.

Wow God.

I’m only certain of this: victims and their families need to be cared for now and this is our job. We are here to serve.

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So despite this undercurrent that we had to negotiate, our show last night with all of you in Charlotesville was great. We are glad you were there and thanks again to those of you who came bearing gifts. Especially thanks to Helaine for her gift of massage to the band and crew. We hope to run into you again on the road soon. Our necks and shoulders say thank you!

With love and deep gratitude for what I have been given,
Karin

PS. On a much, much lighter note. (Finally, you are saying.) Ok. Let me e’splain something. Jake has an alter ego. Willie. He shows up from time to time unannounced. Often when we have been in the van for too long a time at one stretch, Willie has some things to share.

The Office Assistant:
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Some photos: My Cousin Lance and I.
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Helaine and Jake
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Juicy Learns How To Receive
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