Welcome to my Kill to Get Crimson 2008 tour blog!

My name is Isaac, 30 years old from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. I have set this blog up for the purpose of documenting the journey I am taking following Mark Knopfler’s Kill to Get Crimson tour in North America, in the summer of 2008.

The North American leg of the tour, as well as my journey, begins June 24th in Morrison, Colorado and ends on July 31st in Miami Beach, Florida.

Even though I intend to write on a daily basis, publishing the stories onto the server would be tricky. After all, we’re talking about vast distances which will be primarily crossed by driving, and there is no way for me to predict the availability of Internet connection throughout the way.

So… make yourself at home and feel free to drop a comment.

Yours,

Isaac

Monday, July 14, 2008

Louisville, KY

Leaving downtown on about 3:30pm wasn’t painful at all. Some traffic, and a near‐accident, but nothing to make you hold your head and scream. I decided to drive as much as I can towards Nashville, as we’re talking about some great distance.

Before I knew it I was in Indiana already. I‐65 South is blocked for a few miles due to construction. Followed the “Detour” signs, essentially bypassing the blocked exists by means of I‐80. The detour, however, took me through some unpleasant areas. I’m not sure which part of Indiana I was driving in, but it didn’t seem too friendly. There appeared to be lots of neglect over there.

Found the next available I‐65 ramp and off I go, driving 70 mph. Not much to see along the way, however nowhere near as boring as the Regina‐Winnipeg drive I had the privilege to do a few days ago (seems like a year now).

Stopped for refuelling in some “Speedway” (appears to be a gas station chain. We don’t have it in Canada). Cashiers wants to see my ID along with my credit card.

– “Oh… Waterloo”

Baffled, as Waterloo is not a really well‐known Canadian city, I had to ask:

– “Heard of it before?”

– “Well, I have a friend in a city close by… big city… starts with a W as well. I think it’s called Winnipeg?”

Gulp. I couldn’t think of what I should say next, so I looked at the credit card slips and just asked:

– “… Which copy is yours?”

And I’m off my way, stopping for a quick bite at Quizno’s first. Had something called “Baja Chicken” which we don’t have in Canada—and lucky for us we don’t, as it gave the word “repulsive” a whole new meaning.

I think I felt a bone there.

Looking at my cellphone I realized that I gained another hour. Time zone change, it’s now 8:00pm, not 7:00pm.

I decided I’ll spend the night halfway to Nashville, which works to the Louisville area. Quick look at the GPS and here’s Motel 6 again in Louisville. Calling, just to realize that the price is a whopping bargain at $34 a night, including Internet access.

My room looks suspiciously similar to the room I stayed in during my Chicago visit. Does Motel 6 have some room layout standard? It’s just as if I haven’t moved at all.

People here are different. It is amazing, during this trip, to discover all sorts of people. Everywhere you go people look, dress and speak differently.

So tomorrow morning I’ll go explore downtown Louisville, if there is such a thing. Never been here before. As a matter of fact, so far in this trip, all USA locations were new to me except for Las Vegas and Woodinville (I’ve never been to Seattle before, though; and the only time I spent in Woodinville was 3 years ago during the Shangri La tour).

Tomorrow, unfortunately, no band member will be able to see me as I am seated in some balcony (section BAL‐9, row K). No worries Guy. Even if you can’t see me, rest assured I’m wearing exactly the same shirt. I promise.

If time allows for it in Nashville, I thought perhaps it would be a good time for me to, at last, buy an acoustic guitar. So far my amazing guitar repertoire contains only two of them—a classic guitar (Yamaha) acquired more than 10 years ago (gift from my dad), and a Gibson Les‐Paul Standard, cherry sunburst, 50’s neck. I figured I’ll check out the Martins.

Mark Knopfler’s signature model retails for $5,600—sorry Mark, this will have to wait, at least until I finish paying my mortgage in a few years.

Later,
Isaac

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Isaac,

I'm thinking you were probably in the Gary, Indiana area. Not the best introduction to Chicago if you approach from the southeast.

As to the Martins - I love my OM-18V. It's one of the reissues, and absolutely phenomenal for anyone who does both finger style and flat pick. Slighly smaller size but big sound - nice to curl up with.

Stay safe and enjoy Louisville - spent a week there once, long time ago. Don't remember much. One of their big claims to fame is the original home of Colonel Sanders of KFC fame (since you're such a fan.)

Rod.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rod,
Perhaps you meant "not the best introduction to Indiana", rather than "Chicago"?

Yes, it was Gary, Indiana. Looking at Wikipedia now, Gary is, as for 2008, ranked as the 17th most dangerous cities in the USA.

Brrrr.

Your OM-18V retails at $2,400 as far as I can see. Well, I'm going to own the MK signature strat for sure (retails for $1,500 in Canada), not sure how much budget I'll have left for a $2,400 guitar. :-(

I have nothing against Colonel Sanders, and I'll be happy to visit his house... however I will never (again) eat his chicken. Bah. Take some hormonized chicken, kill it, throw it into the deep fryer along with some "secret" seasoning... in food, you get what you pay for. In Canada we have KFC's "Toonie Tuesdays" (Toonie = two-dollar coin), which means that you get two pieces of chicken and some fries for $2.22. This is so cheap that it can't possibly be good for you.

Bah.

Unknown said...

Hi Isaac,

I actually did mean Chicago - if you're coming from the southeast. In other words, the opposite direction from the way you were traveling. I have driven to Chicago from that direction a few times and each time thought, for a beautiful city like Chicago, you wouldn't know it when you come from that side of the city.

Rod.

Anonymous said...

If you have time in Nashville, try to make your way to Pancake Pantry, which is out by Vanderbilt University. Unforgettable pancakes, particularly the sweet potato ones.

I have relatives in Israel with the last name Ben-Shabetai. Any relation?

Anonymous said...

Hi jayr,
Thanks for the recommendation - I'll check it out either tonight or tomorrow early morning before I depart to Kettering.

And no, no relation there. Close, but no cigar. :-)


Isaac

Anonymous said...

If you have time in Louisville check out a blues bar called Stevie Ray's

www.stevieraysbluesbar.com/