I think I'm a little irritable right now. If someone would just turn off that fucking television, I'm a goddamned moth-to-a-flame and really want to get some work done. I don't care that I'm sick and drugged to the nines and should be resting...I HAVE WORK TO DO!!

Well then, more than a little, but it's the meds. I fell ill on the tour, but kinda kept it to myself. We had scripts with us that I just filled out and did in as we traveled, in hopes that I'd generally kick the ass of my health issues, send them into remission, in a sense. It worked to a degree, but today I couldn't take it any longer. Megan took me to the Mayo Clinic here in Eau Claire. I had the kind of doctor I prefer--no bedside manner and all business. Yup, Doc, here's the deal, write me prescriptions for this and this and that. I've been sick with this all my fucking life, I know the disease better than you...well, unless you have it. A smug nod, he starts typing at his computer, pauses, makes a suggestion for an additional drug, given the circumstances and all. I smug back at him and agree. We're all happy now that we've gotten our smugness out and achieved what we came here to do...he justified his job, I got the medicine I knew I needed.

Back to work. What is it now? 2:19am. I've been up and going for 18 hours now. Booking, promoting, writing, cooking for the house (made a garlic-stuffed roast), organizing the office, that doctor visit started the day, now I'm back to writing. What did I miss? Oh fuck me...the only time I played guitar today was when I ran over to the Eau Claire Music School to teach a couple new students. This has got to stop. And yet this is what happens every time I sit still for awhile (stop touring); I get so involved in the production aspect of my work, worrying about organizing the next tour, worrying about driving traffic to the sites where the music sells, worrying about putting a buck in my pocket, but apparently not worrying about my health. Although I have been exercising  and laying off the smokes, I've also been ignoring all the signs that I basically should be in the hospital. Then again, to hell with that. All they do is lay me in a bed and give me all the treatments I currently am giving myself, keeping me away from my work in the process, and follow it up with a $15,000 bill (I've seen ones for as much as $50k). Why bother? I'll stay home and handle it. Call it my own healthcare initiative. The gods know I can't wait til 2012.

Anyhow, I guess part of the reason I haven't played much the last couple days after getting a pretty solid routine going, is that I was getting too winded. I'd rather nurse myself, do some generally quiet work, then when I feel up to par I'll feel free to play a bunch after getting so much done in other areas.

Tell me what you will. I've survived this way all my life... a thing expect it to extend for many years.

This is the current state of affairs in my hideaway in the woods outside Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I have students. I have gigs around the state. I'm working pretty hard in spite of physical discomfort. And Megan and I are getting our ducks in a row for the next trip out of the Midwest. Got an email from Nashville. Been in contact with several venues in other cities too. They're all ready for me to come back. But first, we have to get caught up on all the busy work. And put money in the bank. We are independently funded after all... that's music biz talk for, "we pay for everything ourselves." And I mean everything. Even if someone invests in a particular project, that money has to be guaranteed by our future income. Of course, we also receive personal "grants" from people across the country which are paid back in thanks and, well, sharing the wealth of experience through things like this blog.

I'm irritable, but it's the meds. I'm a nice guy, people like me, but corticosteroids do no great service to anybody's mood. Still, they'll have me up and running full steam again soon. Hell, they better. I have two gigs this weekend. I've done that before though. Several times. I've gone straight from a hospital bed to a show and no one knew any better. This time, I'll be coming from my own bed, next to my sweetheart, in our current home. That's the way I like it...I always enjoy a comfortable home base. Now I actually have one.