Not What You Think

I am asked about this every time I come home on a break. What’s it like? Is it fun? Does everybody party?

The answers to the last two questions are no and no. It’s our workspace and everybody shows up just like they would at any other job. Some people haul stuff. Others organize stuff. Some are technicians managing sound or lights. Some people actually appear in front of you and play musical instruments and sing.

The answer to the first question is found in this picture.

See that door? The one with a piece of paper attached to it? That’s the artist entrance to the backstage area where all the “fun” happens. I’m not sure what was going on when we walked in, it looks like floor refinishing. I think we got in the way.

Doesn’t this look exciting? Don’t you want to be there? And, party?

Actually, there is a green room where the catered food lives and dressing rooms where the band lives. But, it ain’t much. But, to get there…

Here’s how the rest goes. We go out for about two weeks and go home for a week or ten days. During the time on the road, there are distinct phases. Excitement, resignation and can we go home now?

Because.

You don’t sleep well. You don’t eat well. You don’t know where you are.

Sound fun?

Coming home is weird enough. The first day is about doing laundry and sleeping. The next two days are mostly about sleeping and starting to eat a little more regularly.

It can go anywhere from here.

In the old days when I was photographing New Orleans and posting pretty much live pictures on Storyteller I would race around the city making enough images to cover my next couple of weeks.

Now, I just hang out.

During the last few days at home I pack and curse. Nobody is really ever ready to leave. So, we curse. At least packing gets easier. I just leave stuff out.

That’s mostly the story.

If you still think it’s fun, take another long look at the picture.