calvin johnson

just him and his guitar. performing a bunch of songs from his latest album - "before the dream faded." plus a couple classics - one beat happening song and one halo benders song. this is the first time i've actually seen him live. been a fan for years though. his songs have always been humorous, but he's hilarious. his performance is a mix of stand-up, story-telling, and songs. reminds me of a musical bill murray. looks like him too.

before calvin actually performed, i proposed the same question to him as i did to melanie (not the marriage one). guess i felt i should get both of their views. here's our dialogue...

"was talking with melanie some about this. i've been travelling across the country the last couple months..."

(mildly interested) "oh, really? where?"

(bored with the question and my answer) "well everywhere, from north carolina to as far north as manitoba, and now here..."

(half-hearted enthusiasm) "oh, wow."

(sensing this is pointless) "...but i was wondering if you guys might want a 3rd wheel? another person on the road with you?"

(confused a little) "uhhh...i don't know?"

"you know. i could do anything you needed. help you set up. photography. art..."(that's not the direction i want to go)

(getting back on course) "or if you just want some company for the road?..."

(hesitantly) "well i don't know?"

(knowing this is pointless) "well, just putting the offer out there, i guess?"

(shooing me away) "thanks, but we don't really need 'help'. we just have two guitars, and uh... but thanks for the offer."

(glad to be done with the conversation too) "okay... well good luck."

i walk away. mingle with the crowd some.


the conversation didn't go exactly as i wanted. i wasn't trying to pimp myself out artistically, or otherwise, to calvin johnson. though that's how it came off. really just wanted to see if they wanted a companion on their journies. but then i realized that's not what i wanted. i don't want to be a companion on their journies. i want to continue my journey. i don't want to follow in someone else's footsteps. would rather make my own. so the question was pointless from the very beginning. i never wanted to abandon my own path for someone else's. just took me this instance to fully realize that. in conclusion - i'm not joining any bands on tour. sorry.