Thursday September 23 • 15:05

mood: disorganized
song: "Lately" -- Stevie Wonder

After cruising for some three minutes on Apple iTunes, I found exactly what I was looking for - Stevie Wonder. Something soulful, gorgeous, tragic. Here it was, wrapped up in black and white keys, smooth as bass, with heartbreak expressed all in just 4 minutes and 4 seconds.

I'm finding it difficult to type, though, with that kind of distraction ringing through my ears, swelling up in my throat. It makes me want to pick up my guitar.

But I'll be good and finish this before I do that.

So… The reason for writing is actually completely random: I'm gonna talk about vacations.

Once upon a time:

A seven-year-old Megan Slankard wandered around in the wooded land of Willits, Skunk Train, small-town, old-fashioned ice cream in a waffle cone.

Yes, I remember the last time I took a vacation.

Well, thinking several months ago that I was due for some time off, I decided to book myself a little space of time with no calls, no emails, no booking shows, no gigging, no band practice, no updating web sites, no printing, no promoting… my boyfriend Chris and I, and my guitar… at Disneyland.

The land of OZ for all I know - Disneyland! - I've never been.

Two travel days and three days to explore. Early October. Sound fun?

To give myself plenty of time, I booked my little vacation three months in advance. I told this to my manager, Joe. "Oh, sure, sure," he said, "Sounds fun!" Told the band, put it on the band calendar. Booked the tickets, the hotel, set aside some hard earned cash. I am all set.

But, of course, when you finally take a little time for yourself, someone else usually wants it. You know what I'm talkin' about, huh - because it happens to you too.

I have been offered more shows during that week in October than any other month so far this year… Some real gosh-darned good shows, too.

"No, sorry I can't play then, I'm on vacation"
"Oh, I'm sorry, the first week of October? No, I can't have the meeting then, I'm out of town."

"First week? No, that won't work; are you sure you can't fit me in later that month?"

"No, well, I'm only gone five days, we can go over that before or after I come back…"

I even got a certain "big wig" company asking if I had a show that week because they'd "like to come out and check out the show…"

This is where the heavy sigh belongs: [sigh] But, I'm sticking to my plans. Just five little measly little days…

"You really shouldn't book time off while things are going so well; we want to get as much done as possible," said Joe.

I'm thinking that this is my last vacation for a while.

But, gosh-darnit. I am going to have fun!

Yours,
megan

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Sunday September 5 • 10:30

mood: feeling antsy
song: "Don't Ask Me Why" -- Billy Joel

It was two Tuesdays ago when I got the call. Or, was it a Saturday? It seemed subtle and discreet, word for word, matter-o-fact.

It was TLC: "We'd like to fly you to NY for an afternoon so we can do a quick follow-up of your episode of What Not To Wear," they said.

Now, I was fooled once, and wasn't about to be fooled again… once burned as they say.

"Just a little interview and some action shots…"

Of course I said yes. Fun! Excitement! Wonder! But, My mind was riddled with suspicions and doubts as to whether this were really the "follow up" that they said it was.

Let me tell you why:

I had been told by a few different people that if you don't do your part and stick to the "What Not To Wear" clothing rules, and if you go back to your old style, you could be flown back to NYC to be chastised by the two TV show's hosts, Stacy and Clinton. Broadcast for all to see.

I know I have been very good and have almost always been sticking to their rules for shows - I've been dressing it up a little - not just wearing holey jeans and big baggy logo T's anymore.

But, my mind flashed painfully back to the picture that was taken at the KFOG morning show performance - I had Converse on. Then back to Panama Bay where I had worn them again, and where I didn't do my hair.

What if TLC had sent their "check up" crew to those particular shows? (TLC does send out a crew, unbeknownst to its fashion victims, to check up on them and make sure they're following the rules.)

I told the band I was going to NYC, "This Saturday… but of course you probably already knew that…" (The band had been a big part of the secrecy behind my original episode of WNTW.)

I could tell they were hiding something: "What? No, I didn't know that… how cool."

Suspiciously, I watched everyone. My wonder turned into a quiet paranoia, thoughts turned into conspiracies.

And I was doing such a great job, I thought, with this whole trying-to-be-fashionable thing.

So, the day came fast, I left for NYC. Arrived at the hotel, woke up the next morning where my call was 11:00 am.

The taxi took me to the scene: "Kenny's Castaways," a little venue and bar. I suspiciously walked up to the TLC trailer… opened the door… They're going to surprise me again…

"Hi Megan! I'm Glen, directing today. We're going to do a promotion follow up for TLC; just a little interview and some action shots…"

And that was exactly what they did.

Yours,
megan

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