Day 2 of WTR: Memphis 2

It is going to be 2 AM CDT..NOW!  Just as I typed that word.  I am currently in the home of the Cornell family (via Leslie Jo of the Awesome coffee shop Common Grounds in Mattoon, IL.)  I have been doing my damndest to catch up on videos and keeping things on the Writing The Rails web site in chronological order.  Truth of the matter is:  I can not keep up.  I’m shooting more video than I know what to do with as far as uploads (a problem?  I Don’t think so!  SO many great things have been happening.)  Since I Need some sleep and will be leaving here no later than 7:30 AM (since Leslie Jo will be giving me a ride back to Common Grounds at that time…which behooves Both of us since she starts her shift at 8 AM and I have an 11:05 AM train from Mattoon to Carbondale to catch….and the Amtrak station is 1.5 blocks from CG,) I’ll keep this post as concise as I possibly can.

I Almost miss my train this morning.  Thought that the train was scheduled to depart at 10:16 AM (for some reason…don’t know why.)  Turns out after I shoot the first video from my room and look at the train ticket that the train was set to depart at 9:55 AM.  Damn!  

I go down to the front desk at the Red Roof Inn.  Front desk woman was making rounds on rooms.  At 9:40 in the morning?!?  You don’t check rooms at that time!  People check Out of rooms at that time!  No matter.  I call a cab to expedite the process of having one there by the time the room situation was cleared up.  The cab showed up 25 minutes later with a driver who was “new” and “Gonna learn this town quickly.”  This is One of those moments where I say to those who may have laughed at me for my iPhone:  Thank God for the Maps application.  I was also thankful that, upon calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (Amtrak,) I found out that the train was 33 minutes behind schedule.  Needless to say, I milked Every minute this morning.  Got there with 5 to 6 minutes to spare before it pulled up at the station.

Got into Mattoon.  Aaron Wilson came by with Beau Tatum (both of the band Position 12 and the radio show The Local Motive Hour on 89.9 The Max Alternative) to pick me up.  We get to Lackland College (home of the station,) set up, and have a FUN time on the air!  I live for this!

Also did a 15-second “liner” (“Hi, this is David Kav..you’re listening to…”)  Not in those exact words.  You’ll hear it quite soon (hoping to post this tomorrow.)

Hung out with Aaron at his place in Effingham afterwards (which has an Amtrak station in its town.  Hmm.  I’ll have to keep that in mind.)  ;)  Met his wife and his family.  Great family, great guy, cool toys.  More in upcoming videos.

Fast-forward to Common Grounds and the Massive Jam!  Packt house!  Great talent!  Overall, made over $150 Gross!  I couldn’t be happier.

However, as I type this, I am in pain from exhaustion.  I Really want to keep this momentum going into Carbondale, IL.  I don’t know how to or if there is any hope for a show there since I have Nothing planned (and it will be in a DEAD zone for Wi-Fi.  Remember, TLC?!?  For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, check out the earlier posts in December from Theresa Carter/The Local Tourist regarding Carbondale and the lack of Internet access.)  If you read this before or on Saturday, April 17, 2010, Please keep your fingers crossed that something will surface.  Loving the “roll” that I’m on.  Thank you, All!  Mattoon, you kick some serious ass … and I love your Honest, Honest vibe!  Really wish I knew more towns like you!  Looking forward to coming back in August 2010 (more TBA!)

Peace, love, music, laughter and life,
D Kav