Greetings, All. Happy End-of-Summer. May this find you all in good health and high spirits.
On the European Summer Hard Knocks Tour, we are in the week of Lasts. The Last Sunday happened yesterday in Schwerin, Germany:
(The Schloss of Schwerin)
(Schwerin... 5,000 people stood in the rain)
The Last Monday today is an off day in Hamburg. The European Summer Hard Knocks Tour is in its final days. Many stories could be written. When the tour is over, I would like to spend a week or two to simply write. But, I know how it will go. Family and friends, favorite restaurants and cafes, errands to run, and most of all, music to finish, the days will immediately be full. Even though the schedule can be hectic out here on the road, there is also a simplicity to the day...
Out here, the focus is the Show, a period of time with its concentrated relaxation and measured adrenalin.
(Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark... 20,000+ people... just before going onstage)
It is an exercise of maintaining ever-Present moment awareness for those ninety-plus minutes onstage... In the Groove, Striving for Tone, String-of-Pearls, "Relax, Nothing's Under Control." (A quote of my Teacher, Adi Da Samraj.)
(Locarno, Switzerland... 12,000+ Also in the rain! ...for the audience.) Photo: Fimpel
(Locarno, a beautiful location for a concert. Here the song is "You Are So Beautiful") Photo: Fimpel
The rest of the day and night is a timed wave of reentry and renewed preparation. Of course, the whole cycle can be made to cultivate such awareness, as can any ordinary day at home, but with the pinnacle moment of performance a regularity in the schedule, and a thrilling one!, in its necessity the awareness comes with ease.
The cumulative effect is a kind of ecstasy, the negative effect: an addiction to adrenalin.
(Locarno... "A Little Help From My Friends" finale) Photo: Fimpel
After a time life might seem to be lived in the clouds,
(Between Rome and Stuttgart)
...but perhaps better to gain a more encompassing, far-reaching perspective on People, Places, History and Time, even perhaps something of the Universal...
(Zurich, Switzerland)
Feet may only briefly touch any given ground, yet gained, the ability to Travel Light.
(Rainbow out the window while driving to the airport, Poznan, Poland.)
Surrounded by utter competence and compassion in my traveling mates, band and crew,...
(The whole traveling party)
... the paradox emerges: I'm allowed to do my job, and do it well enough that ultimately I may get Out of the way and let the Music through...
(Locarno) Photo: Fimpel
Before the bubble pops, the perdium stops and I'm stuck in traffic on the 405, I must write the stories, and Now. Best to do it while still immersed in the sights and sounds of these visited neighborhoods, languages heard but not spoken, currencies converted from my own. There are particular moments in mind... Due to the length and size of each update, I will separate the stories into a few episodes. Let's see what can be accomplished in the next days.
Please know, I enjoy hearing your thoughts and comments. I haven't been very good at sending replies, but I'll do better! Also, if you think of someone who would be interested in these, feel free to pass this on. You may want to send me their addresses so they can be added to the list, or have them contact me directly. Thanks.
All the Best to you all, in love, peace and rock&roll,
Nick
PS...
Visit Milomon.com and the What's New page for past Updates, Cocker.com for more tour info, photos and what's coming next.
As always, if you wish to be taken off the update list, just send a reply stating your wish, and it will be done.
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