I’ve always had an exceptional skill for remember anniversaries. Not important ones, but things like, “I last wore this dress on March 3, 2020. That’s the day I first arrived in Los Angeles. I had marionberry pie that day. My connecting flight was through San Francisco. I listened to The Talking Heads for most of the flight and read a few articles in an old issue of The Believer. My rental car was upgraded to a white Jaguar and I accidentally met one of my favorite people while I was sipping a dirty horchata and a passionfruit LaCroix on a sidewalk in NoHo. I was supposed to see Lydia Lunch that night. Anyway, I have to keep the dress so I don’t forget that day.”
Okay, so it’s more of a curse than a skill. At any rate, I think my wondrous recall is succumbing to age, because I know I started 6 Days on the Road a year ago this week but I can’t remember what day. It was a weekday, either Wednesday or Thursday, so there’s a decent chance it’s today.
Let’s say the first anniversary is today. Otherwise it’s going to make me itch.
This morning I looked at the About page I wrote a year ago. It’s still relevant. I’m still un(der)employed after being laid off in March, 2025. I quickly tired of the make-your-living-on-Substack accounts that promised this would fill the five-figure void left by my dismissal, which doesn’t surprise me. I don't like being a salesperson.
That said, I have 15 paid subscribers along with coffee-buyers who’ve made these 15 months of unemployment easier. I appreciate all of you who’ve opened your wallets, and those who are moved to financially support my writing during year two.
I’ve got a BIG journey happening at the end of June. The kind I’ve always dreamed of: I’ll be road tripping from St. Louis to North Adams, Massachusetts, where I will be covering Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival for at least two publications (okay, this is one of them.). Last week I learned I’d secured a press pass for the event. Soon I’ll learn what access I’ll have. Let’s just say I asked for the moon and stars and, well, so far so good.
Getting the moon and the stars will be a career-changer.
Needless to say, I feel like celebrating! For every paid subscription between now and June 29th, 2026, I’ll send a curated package of souvenirs from my Great Big Solid Sound Road Trip! Starting … now!
In addition to your souvenirs, you’ll also get weekly 15-20 minute videos of me, yapping about travel stuff in my pajamas, and occasional road trip playlists. I’ll be tossing one of those up this weekend.
Did you know I address my paid subscribers as Big Spenders? I do. It’s pretty racy.
I love no-spenders, too, though! I know times are hard. I’ve struggled, and my financial future’s not super secure. But when you get a free subscription, you’re still helping me. If, for nothing else, I get all warm and fuzzy when I see how many people are reading what I write. Plus, the subscriber numbers look good as I work towards getting a literary agent and publisher for my Woody Guthrie book. Free subscribers will never have to pay for what I write on 6 Days on the Road. All essays will remain free. Subscribing mostly makes it easier for you to know when there’s a new post. And it makes me feel loved. No biggie.
Thanks for hitting the road with me this year! Let’s keep going, shall we?
