Sunday, Aug. 31, 2003 - 10:36 a.m.
I love Deep Ellum. There is a mixture of people that can be described as eclectic...perhaps. An anthropologist could have a field day there; the casual observer can be amused..in the end, they're all people, some searching, others believing they have found what they're looking for. Others look for a good time, others looking to get away. Like the lyrics from "Hotel California": "Some dance to remember, some dance to forget."
There are multiple bars and coffee shops. You step outside and there is music in the air; sometimes blues, sometimes rock, sometimes the lone artists at a coffeeshop.
It's not all a rosy place though. There is stepped up security because of crime (When you get that many people together drinking and partying, it happens-kinda like New Orleans.) But I figure, hey, this is a city people! Don't do anything stupid like get drunk by yourself and stagger into an alley to take a leak and nothing will happen to you.
Insomnia is a great place. I love the atmosphere. Once inside, questions of theological significance are the main topic of discussion. This crowd clearly prefers to grapple with the beefier questions of life...my kind of crowd;-) It's in an interesting location, right next to a shop that sells condoms and other sex related paraphenalia called "Condom Sense". It's funny how places like Insomnia and Condom Sense end up next to each otther. Some people think that a place like Insomnia, with it's almost religious bent shouldn't be there. I think the location is perfect.
Played to a great crowd. Much smaller than the night before but much more introspective and respected the songs for what they were. I think, to some extent, people didn't know what to expect from this Yankee. I played much more original music and shared more than the night before. People didn't seem like they were reacting as much but during my breaks and at the end of the evening, it was clear from the conversation that my music made an impact, and a good one. Played a longer, 75% improvised version of "Pride in the Name of Love"-I just rolled with it; I thought it came out awesome. Met a new artist and made a couple new friends. I hope to come back soon.
Came back to my friend's home and had some chocolate cake and port and relaxed. I developed a REALLY nasty blister on my index finger of my right hand, it hurt to finger pick by the end of the night.
Went to church this morning and now breakfast time!!!
