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My summer is officially over, despite what the calendar says.  I start teaching high school Chemistry next week and I have a lot of desk time to put to prepare for my new career - one I've always wanted but have been too distracted to do for 20 years.  My other jobs I've taken for the money, the challenge of more responsibility that leads to promotion and more money, and a great opportunity to start up and run a company for eight years trying always to be the best employer possible and the monetary reward that comes from that.  But as I carried on with that pathway, despite the rewards for all my hard work, life was becoming an empty existence.  When things became too frustrating, I had to make a change in my life.  The end of my summer is sort of an official stepping-off point to what I see as getting back to a more meaningful existence.

Last week's events started off on Wednesday night Open Mic at Caffe Lena put on by the Saratoga Acoustic Blues Society.  I've been there every month since February or March when I started.  Horse racing is at it's peak in Saratoga Springs with the Travers Stakes drawing over 50,000 spectators coming to see the Triple Crown winner American Pharoah run and hopefully win. The favorite ended up losing to Keen Ice a 12:1 odds horse who came from the back to third late in the race and pulled out the decisive win.  I hear the crowd was pretty quiet at the finish.

But I digress.  Because of all the extra people in town, I left home early to be sure I could find parking within walking distance of Caffe Lena.  I didn't have any problem finding a good spot so I sat on Broadway for about 45 minutes just playing a little.  I didn't feel like putting out my hat to collect tips, but I got my picture taken about a dozen times and a few questions about the guitar.  During the course of that, I finally decided on my three songs for the open mic and came up with a new way to play one.  Living dangerously.

I tuned down to G minor and started my set with "You Are My Sunshine", a song I've played a lot and done once before at the open mic.  This time I finger picked my way through and put in a solo verse of the melody picked on the bass string.  That was a little bit rough, but I like the version and it went well.

My second and third song I played without a break.  First I picked out "Amazing Grace" as an instrumental that led into "John the Revelator".  I got a great round of applause, several quick compliments from the crowd as I returned to my seat and one person approached me to say how much they enjoyed the set and seeing how much my performances have improved over the last several months.

On Thursday, we started a long turn-and-burn trip to Chicago.  We dropped our kids off with the in-laws in Rochester, spent night and left early the next morning.  My wife had never been to downtown Chicago and while I've been there about a dozen times, it has usually been February or early March for a tradeshow.

The reason for the trip was to see Frank Bang, a former guitarist for Buddy Guy's band, return to play at Buddy Guy's Legends.  In his collection is one of my Sawzall box guitars and I have been wanting to hear it live for the longest time.  We set up camp at the Hilton Chicago courtesy of reward points gained with my former corporate travels and enjoyed a few nice walks around the city, lake shore and riverfront.  

Frank met us for dinner at Buddy's before the show and Linsey Alexander was playing a set to start the evening.  He's a terrific performer and he works the crowd well.  I picked up his latest CD and I can see myself doing one of his songs at September's open mic.

We were early enough to get a table right at the stage and we staked out our territory to ensure we'd have the prime seat for Frank's performance.

Frank Bang and the Secret Stash put on a spectacular one hour show for the full house.  Frank refers to the Sawzall box guitar as "the most popular member of the band."  The reaction from people sitting near me proves that to be at least somewhat true.  Frank introduced me to the crowd and they gave a warm welcome.

Then the fun started...

Amped up and with effects, I can still hear the box. The humbuckers scream and there is a delicious amount of feedback that allows unending sustain.  I was so happy to hear the guitar played as it should be without getting yelled at to "TURN IT DOWN!"  :)

Frank is preparing to release a new CD "Back To The City" and he was recording for a DVD that night.  It was an incredible show.

So that was the official end to my summer.  On Sunday we left Chicago just after 5AM, picked up our girls and got home around 9PM.  Over 24 hours of drive time to see a one hour show and worth every minute and mile.

School starts next week. . .