OK.. I finally broke down and had to watch Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball video. It's official, the last person on Earth with a computer or TV, has now seen it. My opinion... Well, I guess it's still true... SEX SELLS. Perhaps for my next video I can top this and be seen nude humping a small pool of green jello with a jackhammer while whip cream comes pouring from the ceiling on top of me. Nahh.. sounds like a lot work... and really sticky.

Seeing how the video has nothing creative or interesting to offer, leave it up to Conan O'Brien to at least make it brilliantly funny.

I love running. I realize how strange this statement sounds to some people. When making it, I tend to get the same kind of question from non runners asking, how I could love something that causes me so much pain and discomfort. I had a friend once tell me, “I hate running. If you see me running down the street, throw a blanket over me because I must be on fire!” It can be somewhat of a challenge to express the love for running to someone with this sort of attitude and fear of spontaneous human combustion. But today, I’m digging deep and feel a need to express it. I do not expect every non runner to read this and make a bee-line for the nearest Nike outlet but, maybe just a better understanding of why we “crazy people” do this “crazy” thing.

 I started running as a teenager out of overwhelming frustration and stress (oh those wonder years). Confused about how to deal with my then situation I pulled a Forest Gump and bolted out of the house and started running down the street… and kept running. Totally unplanned, wearing blue jeans, and no water. Forget complex carbohydrates, I had pure teenage angst fueling this run. In the end I think I only made it to the other side of the next town but it was great because I was so damn exhausted to even think about all those things that were gnawing at my brain at the time.

Gradually my runs became less spontaneous and more planned and deliberate. What started out as a way to exhaust myself from thinking had become a way to think more clearly. A running meditation if you will. No music, in tune with my surrounding, listening to the rhythm of my footsteps, awareness of my breathing, I feel like there is a real art to it and is very similar to traditional meditation in some ways.

Besides the physically fit advantages, I feel running has helped me on life’s journey and has personally shown me a path leading to better and brighter days. I’m more confident and can step out of my comfort zone more easily because of it. When I’m on those hot and sweaty long runs I kind of feel like I’m being purified and I’m recreating a better me. American Philosopher William James was quoted saying, "Beyond the extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own". 

I don’t know if running is for everybody but it works for me. I you feel like you want to give it a go, give your body some time to adapt and you might surprise yourself by suddenly subscribing to Runner’s World Magazine. Unfortunately “Most people don’t run far enough of their first wind to discover they have a second” WJ.

(Yesterdays post.. posted TODAY)
Today will be the last long day of driving for the tour to CA and back. We'r heading out now to play a show in Peoria Heights, IL tonight and then a home town show at The House Pub this Sunday. With it all winding down I started thinking about all the folks we met doing this. The majority have been so generous and nice it's made the tour really worth doing. What has kept it interesting are the crazies. Like the conspiracy fueled mind of Charlie the bigot who also claims to be a descendant of Pocahontas. Then there's the oh so memorable eye patch wearing, crotch grabbing guy who liked to practice his Karate moves at Starbucks. They all have there place in this world and what a wonderfully colorful world it is. John and I are a little road weary but are already talking about other possible tours in the near future. Cheers to all our venue hosts, new and old friends and fans. Thanks for welcoming us into your town/club/home.

See what happens in the 5th and final episode of our mockumentary when we finally make it to Hollywood. Hollywood, The land where dreams come true and stars are born. 

Well, we made it to LA. I think these pics some it all up... friends, weirdness, and The Foggy Mountains. Going up the steep hills to the Hollywood sign proved to much for the van. It's OK now.. making our way to Phoenix for the next show. 

Our first of two vacation days of the tour at Arches National Park in UT. See arches from the view of my video camera as I run through the park on primitive trails with steep drop offs and of course breathtaking views.

OK folks, here is your personal tour of the van we've been living in while out on the road. It's cozy to the extreme! 

Day 2: “Kleptomaniac”

Rochester IL to Hays KS  

One of our goals on this tour is not only to become rich and famous but also to not leave any of our gear behind. I can’t tell you how much money I’ve spent on re-buying items like cables, harmonicas, etc. After a good night sleep at the winery we played last night, we loaded up the van the next morning being very careful not to forget anything. We locked up as instructed and were on our way. A few hundred miles down the road I get a phone call from Loren, the owner of the winery.

Loren - “Jim, this is Loren. Did you guys take a back bag with all my cables and microphones because I don’t see it here?”

Jim – “No, but I’ll look in the van just in case if it makes you feel better.”

The first thing I see… a black bag.

Jim – “John, is this yours?”

John – “Oh no! I thought that was yours so I grabbed it.”

Spending 3 weeks on the road with John I expected to learn a lot about him, but him being a kleptomaniac is not one of them. So anyway, we quickly made our way to the nearest UPS store in Kansas (which is not close cuz, it’s Kansas) just before they closed and had the bag shipped back to the winery. Catastrophe one, solved.

When this trip is over I’m really going have to check my bags to make sure I got everything. John can no longer be trusted. I see how he has been eying my capo.

After a long day of driving we decided to sleep at Campground Walmart. Somehow we were able to sleep among the howling wind and the rattling of shopping carts. Boy that store was big! Out of all that merchandise to choose from, I bought .34 cents of bananas.

Okay, Boulder CO here we come! Really looking forward to this gig tonight.

Day 1: “The Note”

Chicago IL to Rochester IL

We finished our first show on the way to fame and fortune last night at The Walnut Winery near Springfield, IL. There weren’t a lot of folks there surprisingly. Seeing how it’s the beginning of the tour, I guess word hasn’t got out about how we’re going to be big stars once we reach Hollywood. Otherwise, I’m sure there would have been droves of fans lining up to get in. I’m sure that’s going to happen as the tour continues. I can’t wait! I’m really looking forward to roughing up a paparazzi photographer and smashing his camera. I’m also preparing for a very vicious Twitter fight with Miley Cyrus.

Seriously though, the show went great. There was a nice supportive and fun crowd there, we sold some cds  and our host Loren, set up a couple cots and let us sleep among the many bottles of wine. As we fell asleep, one of the employees Mckinsey, was finishing cleaning and locking up. Before she left she surprised us by leaving some money with this note.