Climbing the Heights

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

A brief comment on "Sessions"

And so... I suppose I should take this brief moment to premier my latest instalment of "Sessions in the Raw," my new podcast series about my songwriting process, which is now available on iTunes under the title "Sessions in the Raw" in the podcasting section!

Eventually, once I become more geeky and experienced in this techie world of the web, I may just be able to include a link that has the podcast featured on this site. But until then, please feel free to check it out! There are now two podcasts on the site!

Often audible,
Audaciouslee

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Adventures in NC (Something to Bragg about!)


Well,
as I slowly and hesitantly crawl out of bed this morning, I reflect on the past couple of days: where it took me, and what I learned from it, etc.
This past weekend I had the pleasure of going out to visit my dear sister, to help her pack before she heads out to the beloved "sandbox!"
The first day was mainly spent arriving and hanging out a little in Wilmington, NC (and a little Indian cooking too! :) )
Then, day two was when the adventure really began!
We were supposed to start the day off around 5AM, but both of us were a little tired from the night before, so we decided to sleep in an extra hour or so. By the time we got up and had a small bite, we were off to pick up the Uhaul van! Then we returned back to the house for a nice breakfast of omelets (vegetarian style), hash browns, and our quintessential Starbucks coffee!
Then, we began the task of final packing (mainly my sister's task) and loading the van (my treasured task)! It was a bit of a tiring ordeal, but in only a few short hours we were through, and in the van on our way to a friend of my sister's place: the final destination for the gear we were carrying.
After a good couple of hours driving, we arrived and were able (without much trouble) to unload the gear in the attic of this friend's house.
By this time, it was about time to get a refill of Starbucks bliss! Then a quick bite at Quizno's before heading for home!
However.... the adventure for the day was not quite over!!!
In fact, it had only really begun. On our way back, we had to pass through Fayetteville - a town which was not far from the base where my brother was training for his upcoming adventures in the cousin to the "sandbox."
We had thought it would be nice to spend a little time with our beloved brother before he headed out, and before we headed home for the day. Though initially, a great idea (and still a good one after the fact I might add) it turned out to be a bit more complicated than we thought.
In short: what was expected to be a mere hour or so out of our time turned into a good three plus hours (journey wise)! A few misguided directions here and there, a few blown fuses, a minor verbal brawl, and it was smiles, laughter and tears with our dear beloved brother!
Although, in the future, I doubt we will make such an effort in a Uhaul, the time was well spent, and I do believe we were all grateful to see one another, and especially thereafter to get some rest (whenever it was quite convenient!)
And so the day after this grand Uhaul adventure, my dear sister and I enjoyed a late rising, followed by a little Starbucks (for where would our lives be without such perkery!), and then a lovely breakfast at IHOP!
Then, it was off to base to get a temporary room for my sister to stay in until she heads out on her "Grand Journey." It was a bit of a task getting her final gear from the house into the "Q" (The Temp housing), but we managed! And then we went off to bring back a little Thai food to finish off the night, and of course maybe a little wine, and then a splendid phone call with mum and dad, to recount our great adventures thus far!
The next morning (and in fact my last there in NC), my sister and I had a few minor details to tie up with the house. There were some things that needed to be moved out and stored in another friend's place (just up the way) that we could not take the day before! So, with that task done, and a little Starbucks again (for one cannot be to judgmental in matters of the heart), and then a quick lunch on the way at (believe it or not) Taco Bell (which for the most part was surprisingly swell!)
At last we arrived at the airport. Yet, still this was not quite the end of the adventure! I got to the airport, said a hurried goodbye at the curb to my sister, only a moment later to call her up and tell her that my flight out would be delayed by a good hour and a half! So, we spent another hour together, as I waited to get on my later departing flight! At last, I was on my way back home, and not too surprised upon returning to discover that the weather in Dallas, had changed quite a bit from when I was last there (a mere 28 degrees Fahrenheit!)
And so it seems, I conclude this journey of mine in less than an hour and nine, and for me that's just fine!
Often in the thick of adventure,
Audaciouslee