Why I love my life!

Given that I couldn't see my husband today, it was the best possible day I could've had. Absolutely amazing day. Where do I start? The beginning, I suppose. Well. I slept in for once in my life, and finally pulled myself out of bed to get to the Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival and meet Camm by 11:45. The festival was so much better than I even expected - the free food was some of the best food I've ever had, and I got tons of great stickers and buttons for free. One vendor had free apples, and I asked him where the apples were from. He answered, "Silver Spring...no, that's not right..." and the guy next to him was like, "Silver Creek." I was like, "No effing way, that's my orchard!!! Well, not mine, but my family. It's in Massies Mill, right?" They're like, "Yeah..." so I pulled out my driver's license. Margaret Massie, right here in the flesh:) So that was rad. The apples were really good, too. Naturally. I didn't keep track of time at all today, but I imagine I hung out with Camm for at least two hours, which was great, because I haven't seen nearly enough of him. I've tentatively agreed to come to drag bingo at UVA sometime next month. Should be fun, but I have to work a bridge tournament in Lexington the next morning, so I may not pull it off. We'll see.

After Camm left, I called Paul, since I was right by his apartment. He was home, so I strolled over there, and we spent the afternoon playing Super Mario 3 on the old school Nintendo. I convinced him to do it the old-fashioned way, which is playing every level without warping. The teamwork was incredible, and we made it almost all the way to the end of the game when Donna called to tell me she had arrived in Charlottesville. I left Paul to face Bowser on his own, which I hope went well (either way, I'm planning on a whole day of uninterrupted Marioing as soon as Paul's ready and willing - I'll bring all the games). I met Donna around 7 at the Gravity Lounge. We went in and ordered food (the hummus platter and a side salad), and Donna set up Tracy's merch. We chatted and caught up until the show started. The opener was a local girl who didn't suck, which is about as much as you can hope for from most opening acts. My expectations were low, but she exceeded them, so I was happy. Then Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry came out for their set. Wow. It was actually my first time seeing her that wasn't Falcon Ridge, so it was a long set with much more discussion than I was used to from her. I loved it. It was definitely my favorite Tracy experience. After the show, I hung around while Donna sold CDs, hoping to talk to Tracy after the crowds left her alone, and to maybe go out somewheres with Donna. Well. People kept coming up and talking to Jim and Tracy all night, and I had pretty much resigned myself to saying "great show" on my way out. Much to my delight, Tracy offered to take us out for a late snack after packing up. Even more to my delight, I didn't act like a total jackass. I was much more myself than most people would be in the presence of the one person they adore most in the world. I should clarify. There are people I adore more than Tracy Grammer, like my husband and my best friend and my mom and all that, but as far as "celebrities" go, Tracy's #1 to me. Not only do I adore her (Dave Carter's) music more than just about any other musician's, I find her life story to be an amazing inspiration. And she took me out for drinks! We chatted for close to two hours. I (astonishingly) casually asked her all the questions I had about Dave's music, and her interpretations, and I told her the story of how I came to love her without being a total dopey fan about it. It was a perfect evening. Absolutely perfect. Around 1, we all went our separate ways, and they sent us off with hugs. I'm sure it didn't mean as much to Tracy and Jim as it did to me, but that was seriously living a dream for me. This is why it's great to be a folk music fan. Folk singers are accessible! :)

And now I'm so jazzed I doubt I'll ever get to sleep tonight. I only wish I could've shared some of the day with Jeremy...maybe next time Tracy's in town, we can take her out:)

And to all you people who could've come but didn't - I'm not mad, but I do feel like you missed out on a fantastic day. Your loss. But my day couldn't possibly have been better.

Oh, one more story from today. Remember Maureen McCormack? Marcia Brady? Apparently, she has a country band now, and they cover Dave and Tracy's "Crocodile Man." We had a laugh at that tonight;)

Peace.