Saturday, August 30, 2008

Saturday thoughts

I am sitting in Oakland airport waiting for my flight down to Burbank. I was staring at the date on the paper and realised that it was only 6 months ago that I sat in this airport and stared in disbelief at the Southwest counter wondering what the fuck I was doing. I remember being so perplexed by my choice to relocate my world to Chicago. My intuition was screaming at me about a relationship that was changing my life forever, and most definitely not in a good way, and yet in amongst the crazy I still mostly knew that I needed to get on the plane.

I was fucking terrified.....

Truth be told, if you had've told me what the last 6 months would have held for me...well, shit, I still would have gotten on the damn plane. One person and their dishonesty isn't going to take away the growth, the friendships, the laughter, the weight loss, the amazing shows, the bike riding, the conversations, the adventures, the love, the new material, the whole fucking experience the last 6 months has brought me.

When I arrived in Chicago I said there was no way I could make any more major decisions. That I needed to sit and exist in a space of not knowing what my next steps would look like....and I tell you, that was kinda tough for someone who had the next 12 months planned out usually. I secretly hoped that I would know when something came up, what decision I needed to make then.... Right in the moment. Its been a time for me to heal my relationship with my intuition and to trust myself and the world again. I made a conscious choice to put myself on an accelerated healing path....doing whatever I could to move through it, sometimes not so gracefully, but with as much honesty and vulnerability as I could.

Why do I tell you all this?

Who the fuck knows....

Its just coming out of me as I sit here in the airport waiting for my plane thinking about the last 6 months and how I feel about it all today. I suppose too, I put it out there in the hopes that it reminds you that things really can change on the edge of a dime. And sometimes, hard things hit us and the best thing we can do is just put our head down, and walk towards it (that's the goat in me talking), believing and holding onto the fact that 'this, too, will pass'.

Xxm


Garrin Benfield

This be him, doing his amazing thing! He is an awesome guitarist, check him out! Fun night here in SF, good peeps, good sake!!

Big happy birthday shout outs to my mate Joyce, in indy, wish I could be there drinking sambuca!! Wish you could be here drinking sake!!

Xxm

Friday, August 29, 2008

The fog...


One thing for sure about San Francisco is the fog. Sometimes it looks like something out of a horror movie, the way it rolls in and over the top of the city, taking it over completely. But going across the golden gate bridge AS it rolls across is a sight to be had. I am driving back from sausalito with my friend Rachel who has a boat over there. We scrubbed it clean and sat back and looked at our work proudly before heading back into the city.

Doin my show at Dolores park cafe tonight and then back to LA tomorrow morning for a fun few days......ahh, this life is good.

Xxm


Thursday, August 28, 2008

And then

The salted caramel icecream is amazing. When in SF, on 18th St @ Dolores.....homemade icecream that I have never tried coz the line is always too long at night. Seriously worth lining up for the salted caramel alone.

Still in the middle of a 'heat wave' up here, ha, I laugh at their heat wave!.

Xxm

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Tartines

So, when I come back to cities I am in often, I get more excited by the people in those cities than I do the actual 'places' within that city. Bringing the woman I love into the city I love was more about pulling together all the other people I love here and eating food and laughing together. Mind you, we did that with the most amazing backdrop of San Francisco.....but I digress.

Soo.....that rule applies all the time except when it comes to tartines bakery in SF. At the moments when I remember its existance, like I did this morning, I forget almost everything else and make a bee line here. I have only one, or two, things on my mind at that time. Either their chocolate croissants or their banana cream pie....or both. (hee hee) They have THE most amazing cakes and pastries in the whole world and you HAVE to visit here when in San Francisco.

Please tell me you will, and send photos.

Xxm

Morning face

I know, I look super impressed, right? There's been at least three days of summer here in SF and they have officially declared it a heat wave. Just makes me laugh......this is me, trying to laugh. Needing more sleep.....or not.

Xxm

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The view from here

Busy social day here in SF today. Had coffee with the wonderful Pam Delgado from the group Blame Sally (and she sang on my cd), then lunch with my good mate Robert (who calls me his little brother) and tonight, I have dinner and sleep overs with one of my best mates Kimberley. I love that part of my journey in this life means I have good mates, from different walks of life, all over the world that I get to hang with along the way. Means I pine for them and we have to resolve conflict over time and distance but it also means we make the absolute most of every moment we have to share together.

Its a warm day here again in the city and let me tell you, two or three of those days in a row is unusual so everyone is outside and soaking up the sun.

So, off I go, to do the same.

Xxm

Rachel...

This is my mate Rachel working...she's an amazing, small business owner here in SF. She works her ass off and always inspires me, not only because of her work ethic but because she's a great soul who gives back to her community.

Remember, Dolores or Duboce park cafe in San Francisco. Eat/drink there.....support local. Support good people.

Xxm

Monday, August 25, 2008

Had to share..

New advertising campaign in australia - it 'use' to say 'look after your beaver' but they had to cut that part out:


The View From Here...


I am sitting with my friend Dana at the Dolores Park Cafe with computers and coffee and good food. Its a warm day here on the west coast and I am getting stuck into press and mail outs for the show this weekend. One of these days I will actually memorize all the US holidays and stop booking shows on them. Oh dear.

My house concert on Sunday was canceled so I am going to head back down to LA to hang out before heading to indy for the tado next weekend, what an interesting thing that shall be and I am excited to play with JJ again. Big shout out to all the crew that are coming out to that, your support floors me.

Xxm

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Tipi Lovin....


So this was our glorious tipi at the norcal womens music festival. Who knew sleeping in a tipi in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a drum circle each night; could be so wonderful to sleep in. It was snug and warm and great music was to be had. Now I am back in service land and on the way down to San Francisco for showers and dinner and wine with friends.

More photos from the fest are forthcoming and big shout outs to all my musical mates I got to hang with over the weekend too. Twas fun...and dusty. Xxm

Friday, August 22, 2008

da problem with da blog....

So, there seems to be a little bit of a problem with blogger getting my posts. So...you watch them all suddenly come at once.

We are driving up north at the moment, on our way to our private tipi for the norcal womens music festival. This morning started with the sweet smell of cows poo....which is a pretty common smell when you are driving up the 5 between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

A spontaneous stop to surprise good pal Julie Wolf was a joyous moment of love and happiness back on the compound. I haven't seen her for a few months and at that stage was coming out of the end of a dark tunnel that she walked through with me. It was awesome to walk back into the place I lived with a smile on my face, love in my heart and on my arm. And for her to look into my eyes and go 'wow'.

My friends, it does happen. Things change, wounds heal in strange ways, we learn the lessons we need to.I ended a chapter in my life that I will never revisit again and you know, as I sit here, I couldn't have even imagined this place for myself a few months back...but damn....its magical and beautiful and gentle, kind, honest, present and how it should actually be.I have had moments where I wished this is where I had have started this year, that I wasted so much time and energy and myself in some place else.. but I know timing is everything and I just have so many moments of gratefulness.

So....another hour of driving to go, Ms Difranco plays us some tunes and I am happy to gaze over into the direction of my love and find myself with a permanent smile on my face.....and to see same on hers.

Xxm

The Morning After...


The sweet smell of cows poo has forced us to flee from Coalinga, CA.....for those of you who have no clue where I speak of, Coalinga is a town along Highway 5 in California (between LA and SF) that seems to be completely cow driven....imagine huge cow farms everywhere. It's like when you go to Gilroy, CA...it TOTALLY smells like garlic because they have huge garlic farms everywhere..oh, and outlet malls....but not sure that has a smell.

Anyway....this is me getting my California on.

xxM

The Best Time To Leave LA.......


Is in the middle of the night when no one else is around. We are pumped up on coffee and each other and starting the drive to northern California for the norcal music festival this weekend. Three days out on the land near the Russian river, in a teepee (lol, yes, true...will send a photo!)....good music and a chance to catch up and spend time with other musician mates. And of course, three days to just sit and look at this lovely one sitting next to me.

Xxm

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

looking through the eyes of love....


Hiking today through Stough Canyon Park in Burbank/Glendale, CA. It was one of 'those' hikes where part way through we are looking at the steepness of the climb, the apparent 'oops, might have missed the ACTUAL path and wow that's a long way down' moments and the increasing number of mountain lion looking poos along the way.

But none of it mattered. The journey, the raucous moments of bending over holding the belly laughter, the sun on our skin and the kiss on her lips...

Swept my heart away....

xxm

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

For my mum

Who I miss like crazy. And for those of you put there in Oz so you can see what the next blockbuster movie from the US is going to look like....I know, you are excited, no?

Xxm

Monday, August 18, 2008

The new

Tour vehicle....? I can just see it now....me, my rickshaw and some sweet sweet tunes....hell, imagine the calf muscles I would get then.

Ahhh, good times.

Xxm

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Venice Beach

So, I am a beach snob at the best of times. When you have grown up at some of THE best beaches in the world, its no wonder. As a kid I spent a big chunk of my summers at a beach somewhere and even as an adult I get to the point where I pine for a good ocean visit. I have though been known to lift my nose in disgust over some of the beaches I have been to here, they pale alongside somewhere like yallingup beach in western australia...you know, an ocean that is three colors, white white beautiful sand, perfect weather.

But you know, walking freely with the hand of my new sweet love in mine kinda makes any beach seem perfect in a 'ahhhhh' kinda way. Or maybe I am just a little light in the head right now.....

Yup, I think that's it....

Happy Sunday sweet mates

Xxm

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Grenada Hills, CA

Dionne with her pa, Dale and step ma, Ginny....we just had an amazing BBQ by moon light....amazing food, amazing wine, amazing conversation. Life don't suck one bit......

Perth, Western Australia

My mate Jemma at work in at the ABC. Working...but not too hard (and no doubt counting down the days till the great Aussie adventure).

Oak Park, IL

This is KC with good buddy Michelle Young, they just watched phelps win 8th gold at Oak Park Ale House

Champaign, IL

This is from Cindy who drove from Joliet, IL to Champaign, IL to
help move her niece Samantha into her apartment for Graduate school......this would be Samantha.

Johannesburg, Sth Africa

This is my mate TJ (aka Jenny Talia from Australia) soundchecking before her show tonight in South Africa. Damn lucky wench that she be....mate, isn't it about time you took another little Aussie on the road with you?

Saturday around the world

Yes fine people today is Saturday and that means......its :

Saturday Around The World!!

Send me photos of what you are doing this day, with a short caption about who, what and where and I will post them up here for the world to see.

Email photos to info@martinelocke.com

I am going to start doing this once a month after this week, just so there isn't as much pressure on yous every week. But for now....send em in!!

Xxm

Somewhere in IL


Ahh yes......truer words have not been spoken.

Hood River, OR


Rune River Baumhackl - the newest addition to the world....my good mate Suzanne pushed this little fella out in record time.

Congrats to Suzanne, Aaron and Jenner up in Hood River, OR

Friday, August 15, 2008

Come Support KC


This is my good mate and riding buddy, KC. You will also see her name around the blog comments as she is a great supporter and friend to what I do. She rides the Team in Training - LLS Cancer Cure rides and has one coming up in Arizona in November that I want to let you know about incase you can spare $25, or whatever, to support her in her ride. It's all a tax deduction and they make it super easy for you to donate here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/il/tucson08/kcushing

As KC says: "Cycling is a hobby; Cycling for a cure is a mission. With that in mind, I decided to get back on my bike and ride 109 miles for a cure."

You can also ask for your donation to be in memory of someone you know who has lost their battle with cancer or is battling it now. Their name can also be added to her riding jersey.

So, please, support a great mate who has been supportive.

Back to air headed land over here and the sweet sweet taste of love...

xxM


Thursday, August 14, 2008

Me of....

Very little brain right now....so, until I regain some capacity to put words together again, here is a favorite photo to think on.

Oh and big shout outs and loves to my friends Jemma and Jane, who leave on the big Aussie adventure soon. Wish I could be there to see your smiling faces.

Send photos!

Xxm

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

So.....

Signs such as these are a big part of every muso's life. For people like me though, the sight and thought of a laundromat is quite an exciting one....I know, strange. But there's nothing like the smell of fresh clothes (especially off the line) and I have often been known to turn up to friends houses with a bag of laundry to do while I am there. Thankfully my friends are completely accommodating and see it more as a sign of the comfort in our friendship than they do me having any kind of OCD thing around clean clothes.

Anyway, I am dribbling a little in this post.

Secretly, I want to scream to the whole world that I am in love with an amazing woman who takes my breath away, thrills my heart and makes me smile so fucking big that my whole face hurts like a mofo. I look at this last year of heartbreak and hurt and feeling/being deceived, feeling like my entire world was turned upside down because of that, thinking I would never let my heart go again...and I wonder in amazement as to how much of that was instrumental in bringing me here..today, right now, right this second.

I look into her eyes and am so excited by the safety, the honor, the trust, the honesty, the mutual surprise, the joy and the love that I see there. And damn, if I am not completely blown away by the way the universe works.

So fuck it, its not a secret anymore.....I have never been so good with keeping my own secrets anyway......and this is too amazing to not say out loud and to offer a moment of gratefulness out towards the universe.

There you have it....direct from the wonderful clean clothes loving, sweet smelling laundromat in Burbank, CA.....and direct from me.

Xxm

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Utah..

Another moment of beauty to gaze upon while I do the same...

Xxm

Monday, August 11, 2008

Hmm

What can I say....there are moments when life and everything that happens in it, feels perfect..

Morning skies...

Its an early morning here in Utah. Last night I rerouted the next part of my journey to take me directly to LA, so it means being up at the ass crack of dawn (sorry dawn) to make the 3 hour drive back to salt lake city. I am certain it will be worth it though....

Had a ball here in Utah, who knew this would be so much fun and so breathtaking all at once. If you are ever wanting to hit a womens music festival, I would suggest this one. Good people, good music and amazing views.

Shout outs to all the mates coming back from Michigan womens festival (remember to put your favorite Aussie's name on the evaluation form!!). Looking forward to hearing the tales.

Xxm

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Slot canyon concert

This is Lorraine, one of the festival performers, she decided to do an impromptu concert in a slot canyon near Boulder, UT. Lorraine can just about play anything and is an amazing didge player.

About 25 people drove the two hours out here to sit in the canyon and listen to her do her thing. It was a pretty special experience and I wish I had sound so you could hear how incredible the natural reverb of the canyon was. I stretched out on a red rock and looked up to the sky for the show and felt grateful for the moment.

Anyway, heading back to Torrey to chill out with some Olympic action before driving back to SLC tomorrow and then flyin back to CA! Woohoo.....can barely contain my excitement.

More photos of this amazing area will be following....

Xxm

The view

From where I lay.....

The end....

Edie Carey, Melissa Ferrick and JJ doing her thang.

Great way to finish a Saturday night. Well, almost ;-)

Xxm

Saturday, August 9, 2008

FYI

That last word is Utah....not UT

Chicago, IL

From KC - McNulty family reunion 5 countries left to right Sara New Zealand, Spain, Ireland, England and me

Brisbane, Australia


From Megan: here is my Brissy take for this week..went to the Ekka (Brisbane show) with my boys..here they are with the laughing clowns

Hood River, OR

So, photos for the Saturday Around The World are still coming in and here's another:

My great mates and family....Jude (who is my US mum), Suzanne and Jennifer. Suzanne
gave birth to Rune River last night (so this photo is not quite from
Saturday...still waiting for the baby shot).

They are sitting outside Suzanne and her hubby, Aaron's cafe - solstice cafe - in
Hood River.


Orland Park, IL


Family movie night in Orland Park, IL...(nims island)...my mate TJ's kids....and TJ is most likely here:

Hiding from the rain...

The view

From here....as a storm rolls in over Torrey. So fucking beautiful...

Ummm

Not sure I know him, but here he is anyway....no doubt Hollywood walk of fame....

Hollywood, CA

Dawn, Dionne and Paula. Dawn and Paula just got married down in San Diego, CA. Congratulations chicks!! Now they are doing the tourist thing in LA with D. Good times, no doubt...!!!

Torrey, Utah

Liz (from lvnmuziq), myself and JJ mid hike through the chimney rock trail in Utah.

So damn beautiful out here.....

Adelaide, South Australia

This is Jim and his new grand daughter Jamie Arella. Jims daughter Sunny use to come to Velvet Janes shows way back when!!

At work in IL (?)

This is Cindy (owner of Ben who made his debut here a few weeks back). Her Saturday means working till 10pm tonight! Send her happy Saturday thoughts!

Xxm

Morning from Torrey

How many musicians and how much equipment can you fit into one car? Us of the healthy musicians are out for a hike this morning, I will no doubt send more photos in because its pretty awesome out here.

Xxm

Backstage...

This is the backstage view here at the Red Rocks Music Festival. It was amazing to witness, took my breath away.

JJ and I just did a fucking rocking set. It was so big and so loud, that I am a little deaf right now. But damn....was it good. I can't wait to play more with her. She is doing the Indy Tado with me in Indianapolis next month and fuck if we won't rock the stage.

My sore hands and tired body are done for this long ass day.

Tomorrow is SATW....Saturday around the world. Email me a photo of what you are doing and I will put it up here - info@martinelocke.com

Xxm

Friday, August 8, 2008

The fav

Bumper sticker of the day....

Pre show

Me and the JJ. Its kinda chilly up here and we are drinking red wine and putting on the token warm clothes we brought with.

Ahh for warmth...

Xxm

Wishing chair....

And me backstage pre show....