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JULY 1999
| So here I am once more, writing the newsletter in Canada. I guess that's just what one does when visiting the great white north. Here in the Toronto Airport, just a minute ago I overheard two women talking in line at the Northwest counter. The one woman says to the other, "Well why do you carry those things around with you?" To which the other woman responds, "I keep them with me for my alien friends." |
Hey look, I'm an alien! |
Erica is a punkrocker
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Stranger than that, last month we met this girl named Erica who claimed to like punk music. When we asked which groups she liked, she rattled off some list of unknowns. Then I said, "What about the Sex Pistols and the Ramones?" To which she replied, "Old school? I LOVE old school!" If I may quote Kevin Henkes, a popular author around the Baum house, "'Wow,' he said. That was about all anyone could say. 'Wow'."
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| July saw us travelling all over the dang place. As you might recall, last month ended with us racing northward in search of (The) Metroplex, which we found. The next morning we busted our way in to Valley Fair Amusement Park where we were scheduled to play a concert in the special roller-coaster amphitheater. It really is a funny place to play, since the stage is right underneath the ratchet brake thing. "Nobody calls her baby, nobody says I love you so. Nobody calls her CLACK- CLACK- CLACK- CLACK- CLACK never know." While we were setting up it poured rain down on our heads. This wasn't all that bad, and it made for a blue crowd of concert-goers. |
Hey look, I'm that guy from 3rd Day!
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Before Pete's touch.
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It was a fun day at the park. Our friends "Against All Odds" opened the show with a really full sound. After we played and packed up, I somehow misplaced my CD collection. So unlike every other musician on the planet, I am unable to tell you "what's in my CD changer." Besides, I don't even own a CD changer, though my wife and I do own a changing table, which we use for changing Lily's diapers. Anyway, we finished up there and headed for the new office. Yes, your friends LOST AND FOUND have branched out and actually rented some office space. We've got our name on the building and everything! |
| Then it was off to Mackinac, Michigan for the Michigan district gathering of Lutherans. A truly grandiose event, where we got re-aquatinted with lots of old friends. One of our friends, Carl from CPR, had a fairly serious eating accident at lunch one day. The sole nurse within earshot did not find this the least bit amusing. There's probably a real sad story involving flatware in her family I bet. As usual, the Fitz Family tried to kill some people with bowling pins. Hopefully, that nurse didn't have an uncle who used to set pins. To continue with the theme of frightening entertainment, the guys from CPR began a contest to see how many of their videos it would take to wake up Bob Lenz' son Tim. Turns out, their video is so short that they didn't bring enough with them to do the job. Hopefully, that nurse didn't have an aunt who worked in a video store. |
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Hey look, I'm Martin Luther!
The Canopeners
Ulster Project
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Then it was time to take the boat back to America. After a few fireworks in our respective hometowns, it was off to Massillon, Ohio, home of one serious football team. We played in the downtown theater. Our friends The Canopeners played first. (Their motto: We can open for anybody.) After intermission, a wonderful a cappella group sang (without instruments!). However, because of all the confusion, I didn't write down their name, nor did I get a photo of them. This makes me a double loser (with Scorpio rising). We also met the group for whom this night was a benefit concert. They're called the Ulster Project; they do great things; the participants from Ireland have the coolest accents ever! |
| From there we went to the Cleveland Airport. Though Michael and I have an office, we aren't the ones who actually use it. So here, on the floor of the airport is where you're more likely to catch us catching up on office work. We were in the airport because we were flying somewhere. (Can I get a duh?) That place would be called Florida. We were privileged to take part in one of the Big Stuf camps that have been popular since the fifties. Our new friend Lanny dressed us up as waiters (see August 1998 letter for striking parallel), and we served food and drinks to the band and various guests and speakers. Once more our friends CPR brought down the house, and Steve E and his band rocked in a most serious way. These Big Stuf camps are truly something, and we hope to be invited back next year. (And we promise not to sing that "Used to Be" song next time.) |
Hey look, I'm in charge!
Try this Tinfoil Jerky; I'm chewing it right now!
Lanny scolds the band
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Hey Florida! |
From there it was a race against the clock to get to Kissimee, Florida. Lucky for us, the clock was slower than we were and we arrived on time. That night we finally found time to do some laundry and there was much rejoicing. We did also meet a local who was hanging around on our window. The next day found us in Sebring, Florida, where we played a fine concert for some fine folks. Then we flew, once more, back to (The) Metroplex.
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We returned to the LAFOffice (that's now my official name for it) to find that Pete and Joel had really done some fine work on the place. Now it looks like we could run for governor or something like that--if that were the will of the people. I mean, we didn't invent the Internet or anything, but not every candidate can save the world AND be vice president, you know? After we basked in the glow of spending money on a space we're not allowed to even sleep in, we rented a car and drove on over to South Dakota. (I know quite well that I split an infinitive back there, but it's my newsletter and I'll cry if I want to. Even if it means ending a sentence in a preposition, like that last one.)
There we played for another group of Lutherans from the districts of North and South Dakota. We had some fun times and learned a lot about raising cattle that (it turns out) we'd have been happier not knowing. For example, if you don't know the meaning of the term "rendering truck," you'll probably be more comfortable the next time you eat at McDonald's.
From there, we drove through the night to Sioux Falls, where we got on the first flights out and flew to (get this) Toronto, Ontario.  The purpose of our visit was to play at the international Nazarene Youth Conference. Oh, wait, what I meant was the purpose of our visit was "Personal" and we had nothing to declare. This little gathering of young people was something to behold! How great to be included in their event. It was held in the same room where the Maple Leafs play. (They're the team the Sabres beat on their way to the great Stanley Cup Heist of last month.) Lots of great speakers and bands. Many opportunities to meet Americans traveling abroad. All in all, a fine way to end the month. And, just like a recent letter you might recall, this brings us back to the top.
I began this letter sitting in the Toronto Airport, and I end it sitting on my front porch in Ohio. Wow. There's a metaphor there, but I'm not sure quite how to unpack it. Till next month, rock on, and don't let the bedbugs bite.
george
Take a look at this month's Photo Phrenzy.
Read more of George's monthly newsletters.
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