FAWM TRIP BLOG

2/14/09 10:25am
I'm on the Amtrak train and just passing through New Buffalo Michigan, the final intermediary stop before I arrive in Chicago. I caught the train in Grand Rapids MI this morning at 7:35am, 2-3 inches of fresh snow on the ground.

I hosted the radio show last night from Allison's uncle and aunt's house in GR and then Ralston picked me up in his SUV (that smelled like radiator fluid) and drove me over to Denny's for a midnight rock n' roll grand slam breakfast and some great conversation. He shared his story with me again of meeting a bunch of UK Fawmers last year at a post FAWM meet-up in a pub in London. It was fascinating to hear his perceptions of the event and of FAWM in general... really set the table for me in a lot of ways for this trip.

Passing through Michigan City now, 10:40am, funny, we're about 10 blocks south of the 11th Street Station where I usually park for the Southshore line when I make my more regular trips into Chicago.

Anyway, it was interesting to hear how Ralston percieved this small gathering of Fawmers in London, the way they interacted, the way they performed. He had spot on observations to be sure, but I could see he was struggling to define for himself what his expecations had been and what he was looking for in arriving at Gatwick from the States, immediately taking two hours of train rides, walking probably 3 miles with his luggage, finally finding this tiny pub after several long trudges in the wrong direction... and then doing it in reverse to get to back...

It gave me a fresh perspective on what I'm attempting to pull off this month. Hopping on an Amtrak this morning with a US Rail Pass and waaaay too much baggage to really be mobile, with lodging for 5 nights out of the next 12 unconfirmed. I'll tell you one thing, I'm going to *have* to ask for help, somthing out of character for me to be sure. Here's an overview of my lodging plans as of this minute:

2/14 (Sat) - On the redeye train to Buffalo
2/15 (Sun) - In Toronto with Errol and Debs
2/16 (Mon) - In Toronto with Errol and Debs
2/17 (Tue) - In Albany NY with Bryan Thomas (unconfirmed)
2/18 (Wed) - Boston?
2/19 (Thu) - NYC
2/20 (Fri) - NYC
2/21 (Sat) - Sellersville PA with Dusty Mason
2/22 (Sun) - Sellersville PA with Dusty Mason
2/23 (Mon) - Baltimore MD with Tim Bracken (unconfirmed)
2/24 (Tue) - Washington DC with Ricky Payton Jr.
2/25 (Wed) - On the redeye train back to Chicago

Just passed the Majestic Star Casino. 11:13am. Where are we? It's right on Lake Michigan, a cruise ship parked at the dock. And here's the Ameristar. So weird, tucked in betwwen these huge industrial smokestack spewing complexes (must be steel mills). The physical crossroads of the new and old ecoomy. That old ad with the american indian with a tear in his eye as sewage pours out of a pipe into an open creek takes a whole new meaning.

Hey, we're right behind Sox Park! This is such a cool new route for me compared to the Southshore line.