Wow... where to start. We’ve been in Michigan the entire time. Well, at least my brothers have. Jon and Jimmae are staying in a small—very small—but nice cabin up near the festival site for the entire run. I fly in Friday nights, they pick me up, we perform the weekend, and I fly back Monday mornings.
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I knew this was going to be a tough show on me. Since I’ve started with the Tortugas this is my longest string of continuous weekends on the road. Once Michigan and Connecticut are over it will be nine straight weekends of travel for Tortuga. And during the week I work every day in Charlotte. Oh, and that upcoming tenth weekend? I’m going to Minnesota for a wedding. Don’t worry, it’s not mine.
I think I’ll go ahead and run you through my weekly schedule. I’ve had a lot of friends ask me if I was upset with them because I haven’t been interacting with them as much or spending time with them. Friday, I get up, and go to work. I’ll usually try to hit the gym at lunch on Fridays. Immediately after work, it’s to the airport. I generally land around 10pm and one of my brothers pick me up. It tends to be about an hour drive to wherever we’re staying. Figure in some food, some catching up and planning, and it’s in bed by midnight. Get up at 7:30 or so to shower (I’m a princess, I shower about twice a day). Go to festival, morning meeting, canon, work front gate, perform shows, work the street in between, work pub or closing gate. Go shower, grab some food, maybe do some socializing with some of the local cast or other performers. And then to bed. I tend to try to make Saturday night an early night. My goal is to be asleep by 11.
Sunday, same thing, only this time get to bed even earlier, I’m aiming for 10. Why? Because by the time festival closes Sunday, there’s no way for me to get the last flight out of wherever I’m at. So I fly first thing in the morning. Which generally means getting up at 4am Monday morning. Drive to the airport, get a 6am flight. Land around 8 and go right to the office.
On Monday, I go right home from the office and crash hard. I tend to watch a couple TV shows to try to stay up until 10pm so I don’t destroy my sleep schedule. Tuesday I go to work, but after work I hit the gym. Tuesday night I try to stay home and do laundry to get ready for the upcoming weekend. Wednesday is the same, except it’s my socializing night. I’ll try to go out with friends in Charlotte. Generally to the beer tasting at Common Market. Thursday is the same again, work, then gym, then straight home to pack to get ready to leave the next day.
Oh, and attend my weekly guitar lesson and try to fit in time to practice.
So... yeah... schedule is crazy. I have to guard “me time” very closely so that I don’t burn myself out. Just had some friends try to get me to go out last night and I had to turn them down, even though it sounded like a lot of fun.
But Michigan... We are having a blast in Michigan. You’ve heard us talk before about being a first year act and how difficult it is. But we’re doing very well here. We’re playing every chance we get with the local cast and on the street. And have presented our hijinks in the parade as frequently as we can. We even got to pull the Queen’s Chariot on the final day. (Catherine is a pleasure to work with). We are definitely hoping to be back next year.
Well, unfortunately that’s really about it for me. During a festival my life falls into a pretty strict routine. I’m looking forward to Connecticut and then I also get to perform the final two weekends in Carolina. Yay home festival! And as of now, you’ll be seeing me in Louisiana as well! Oh, and there’s another obstacle race in my future. Nov 5th!
Take care, and be safe!
