Moving sucks!  I just spent the last couple days moving all of my stuff from one apartment to another one (only five blocks away).  I didn’t plan it very well because I knew I had to move during the middle of the week, which meant that not many people were available to help.  I thought I could pretty much do it alone.  I started by taking a small load of stuff on the bus, which wasn’t great because there was standing room only.  Then I borrowed a mini van from my friends, the Copland family, and moved my bed frame, mattress, and box-spring all by myself.  This tired me out pretty good and by this time it was getting into the evening.  So I gave in and called some friends.  One friend helped with one load and another friend helped with a second load.  It’s amazing how much faster and more efficient it is to work with people.

This all made me think of how artists often try to go at it alone.  Like a lone ranger.  My friend Adam used to say that he wanted to be the marlboro man.  There’s something cool about having no partners and working alone.  I’m not sure if it’s the mystery or the pride of taking all the credit.  But I’ve been learning that I need all the help I can get.  I need musicians to play with me.  I need producers to help me record.  I need people to help promote my music.  I need people to encourage me and challenge me.  And I even need people to just like my music - people who will come to my shows.  Maybe instead of being the lone ranger, I’ll try the polar opposite and get as many people involved as possible.  Have you been doing it all alone?  Let’s work together.