Behind the scenes

It's hard to believe we've been here over a week.  At times, it feels as if we've been here an eternity.  Time doesn't really exist here.  This place runs in it's own dimension. 

We got to spend our first week on the island with beautiful ladies visiting from NYC.  Their positive energy and good nature kept our smiles at a double-wide all week long.  Two of our visitors had never been here.  The third happened to be a dear friend who drove TJ and I down here last year.  I couldn't wait to share this place with them for a whole week!  My favorite moments on Ocracoke are when the moon is waning.  It gets so dark that you can't see your hand in front of your face.  It's incredible.  Coming from NYC, these girls are used to illumination at all hours of the day.  It was a real sight to see them all trying to ride their bikes in the dark with just headlamps to light the way.  I tend to be a little pushy and competitive, so I presented them with a challenge: turn off your headlamps, let your eyes adjust, and enjoy the ride. There is nothing on earth like riding through the dark of night.  It's so exhilarating.  Although a little scared at first, everyone ended up really enjoying themselves.  Being entirely vulnerable to the night, the road and foreign surroundings frees your soul.  The connection with the earth while darkness embraces you is something that cannot be explained in words.  It must be felt.  And it feels good. 
All of the girls got to take something magical away from this island.  Shooting stars, late night beach trips, wild shows at St. Jimmy's, rough waves, and tree house escapades highlight some of the many shenanigans that occurred throughout the week.  We know our lives as a touring band are less than ordinary.  It's so fulfilling for us to be able to share our blessings with our friends.  They got to see how we live, work, and play.  It can be hard for us to explain how much work goes into what we do.  From the outside it's easy to only see the excitement, the parties and shows.  Our friends got a week-long backstage pass to observe us in our natural habitat of BAND.  Every morning there were emails to send out, CD's to burn, websites to update, people to call, songs to rehearse, the list goes on and on and on.  They listened as we rehearsed, they helped with the loading and unloading of gear, they even helped label our CD's.  We were so grateful for them and their help. 
I didn't realize how much I need those girls and their sweet, sweet energy last week. 

I passed a church sign recently that read: Get rich quick! Count your blessings. 
Add three more to my blessings bank account.

Yes Team, GO!
Kinnie