Going to do this today, because when I’d normally be prepping this post, I’ll be packing and heading south for my first live gigs in over a year.

It’s still a little intimidating, even if after rehearsals that showed me that I haven’t forgotten nearly as much as I thought I had, to be getting up in front of people and making music again.

That said, I’m really looking forward to seeing friends and fans* after such a long time; perhaps more than I realized. I am, at heart, a bit of an introvert, though that doesn’t mean that I don’t miss the rush of performing, nor spending time with these people that I’ve become so close to over the past decade (or longer) through our shared love of music and geeky stuff in general.

Knowing that we’ll also be indulging a bit in our shared fandom of craft beer, I did my best to get ahead (so to speak) and put 100 miles under my bike wheels since Monday, which should give me a little bit of leeway to engage in some responsible revels this weekend after our shows are done.

Speaking of cycling, over to the left you’ll notice that the challenge box includes a new one, since the VCT has started up their Summer Challenge, which, of course I signed up for; it gives me motivation and it tosses a few bucks to the Foundation in support of trail upkeep. It’s another virtual challenge, which is fine with me, since I’m mostly a solo rider. I’ll be taking on the “Birthday Challenge” level, which has the twin goals of hitting every mile marker on the Trail, and riding a total of 310.2 miles during the June-Sept period, representing six times the length of the Trail in honor of it’s sixth birthday. That second goal shouldn’t be difficult, as I regularly ride a little over 100 miles a week, and a few strategic trips will hit all the markers without issue, especially since I’m working up to a century ride by the end of the summer anyway.

And oh, according to my social media feeds, today is World Bicycle Day by United Nations reckoning. It’s going to be raining all day here, so I won’t be actively celebrating, but I will definitely be doing so in spirit.

That diversion aside, Here’s where/when I’ll be playing at Concarolinas this weekend:

• Saturday, 3pm, University D&E: Blibbering Humdingers set
• Saturday, 10:30pm, Fountainview: Blibbering Humdingers set

The schedule as it stands doesn’t highlight dedicated filk/music circle rooms, though I totally expect we’ll make some up, and I have heard suggestions that Mikey Mason might be dragging me on stage for a tune or two during one of his sets, though we shall see.

In the world of tunes that don’t involve me playing them, here’s this week’s playlist. Heavy on the classic and dad rock fronts this week, which is, honestly, okay. It largely rocks, has a nice fuzzy/rootsy feel, and there at #10 is a song the Humdingers have been threatening to toss into a set for years, but we haven’t yet managed it. Maybe this weekend?

1. “Like Humans Do” (live) – David Byrne
2. “Just Got Paid” – ZZ Top
3. “Satellite Radio” – Steve Earle
4. “Shine It All Around” – Robert Plant
5. “Blue Lamp” – Stevie Nicks
6. “Fell In Love With A Girl” – White Stripes
7. “Heavy” – Collective Soul
8. “Any Sense of Time” – The Inbreds
9. “Fly Me Courageous” – Drivin N Cryin
10. “Under the Milky Way” – The Church
11. “Trapped Again” – Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
12. “Love Spread” – The Stone Roses

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*-It never ceases to amaze me that I have people who look forward to hearing the noises I make, and occasionally even give me money and accolades for them. Even after all these recordings, live gigs, and recognition, it feels strange to say I have “fans.”