At the risk of kicking off the New Year by offending a small number of my readers, I shall open this blog entry by saying I have little nice to say about the state of Indiana. Maybe my view comes from growing up in Michigan, where all bordered states are considered "lesser". But I believe there is a reason (or six) the most romantic song composed about Indiana in the last 30 years is a song wherein the writer recalls the first time he "drove through" Indiana.
Nevertheless, it was at a quaint Michigan City, Indiana establishment known as "The Dune Beach Inn" where Lindsay and I rang in the New Year.
As I approach the age of 33, New Years Eve generates all the excitement of another birthday... I can hardly contain my yawn. Still, this was our first New Years together and I - being the self-proclaimed romantic I am - wanted to do something special. We spent Christmas with my folks in Holly, Michigan so by the 31st we were ready to move out on our own and head west to Colorado. I had visions of booking a Bed and Breakfast in South Haven or St. Joseph, walking along the beach in the balmy 45 degree Michigan gray and window shopping outside closed boutiques New Years Day (gosh, even in my dreams it wasn't so romantic).
But alas, my procrastination had left us with little choice... and we ended up in Indiana. "I remember the first time I drove through Indiana..."
I kid, I kid. It was lovely. And as the ball dropped in Times Square, I reflected, as most do on New Years Eve...
2010. What a year! Why, just look over this blog. From coping with the end of my relationship to the thrill of opening for Tim Reynolds... from feeling stuck in February to cursing one-too-many consecutive nights in the Honda Fit as I made my way across the midwest in April... from feeling as though my career was about to "take off" to all but bashing my Martin over a rock. Have I mentioned that I made a new best friend and before I knew it I had fallen in love with her? Did I forget to tell you that I played over 70 shows from Seattle to Boston and just about everywhere in between (above the Mason-Dixon line, anyway)?
I shook hands with so many lovely people all over this country, and slept on most of their futons. I ate a barrel of humble pie. I had my identity, or what I had thought was my identity, swept out from underneath me. I think I cried a lot.
It was AWESOME.
I can't recall a year where I accomplished more, if you consider just doing what I did an accomplishment. I do.
Emotionally, I don't think I've grown this much in a one year period since I was a little nipple-nibbling, toddler-sponge.
2011. What a year! I'm staying put. I'm so, so tired of the automobile. My cabin is warm and inviting, and it has no wheels. Many shows will be played, but 98% of them will be within the friendly confines of Colorado's borders... "Lindsay and Jeremy" is a new, dynamic duo that will be releasing an album this summer (see show schedule)... I'm taking piano and guitar lessons... I'm going back to school. Yes, just like Rodney Dangerfield. Classes at Pikes Peak Community College begin January 25th and I will be there. What am I going for? I don't know. I'm just dipping my toe in the collegiate waters. I am degree-less, I struggled with schooling all my life and at this point I would like to rewrite some of the stories that have been going 'round my head for the last 15 years.
Let's see, what else? I don't know. I'm open. I'm just going to keep on doing. I learn by doing. Trying new things. Being open. Celebrating this bad-ass life.
As always, I am full of gratitude for those who have supported me in all their unique ways. This includes you, dear reader. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Here's the Lindsay and Jeremy show schedule for 2011, as of 1/6. If it is no longer 1/6, you may want to check out www.jeremyfacknitz.com for possible additions.
"LINDSAY AND JEREMY"
Thursday, 1/20/2011
NORTH PLATTE COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE
301 East 5th St.
North Platte, Nebraska
69101
8pm, $10 cover - ALL AGES! CALL 308-532-8559 for more information.
"LINDSAY AND JEREMY"
Friday, 1/28/2011
THE SPEEDTRAP
84 S HWY 105
Palmer Lake, Colorado
8pm
All ages, FREE!
"LINDSAY AND JEREMY"
Saturday, 1/29/2011
DOWNTOWN BAR
103 Central Plaza
Pueblo, Colorado
10pm, $3 cover
"LINDSAY AND JEREMY"
COLORADO SPRINGS DEBUT!
Thursday, 2/17/2011
STUDIO BEE/PIKES PEAK CENTER
190 S. Cascade Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO
80903
6pm, FREE!
"LINDSAY AND JEREMY"
Friday, 3/18/2011
THE SPEEDTRAP
84 S. HWY 105
Palmer Lake, Colorado
8pm, all ages, no cover!
"LINDSAY AND JEREMY"
Saturday, 3/26/2011
DOWNTOWN BAR
103 Central Plaza
Pueblo, Colorado
10pm, $3 cover
"LINDSAY AND JEREMY"
Saturday, 4/9/2011
THE SPEEDTRAP
84 S. HWY 105
Palmer Lake, Colorado
8pm, all ages, no cover!
JEREMY FACKNITZ SOLO
Friday, 5/6/2011
JACK QUINN'S IRISH PUB
21 S. Tejon St.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
9:30pm - 12:30am, 21 and over
FREE!
Happy New Year.
Jeremy
www.jeremyfacknitz.com
