Now Victoria and Edmonton have confirmed. Wonders never cease. That’s Hermann’s and the Yardbird Suite two more pins on the map. Only three out of twenty left to make it all seamless. Later, months from now, I’ll start again, heading East. Touring is like a slow pulse through the country booking, confirming, waiting the machinery of movement.

This morning I saw my arthritis doctor. Twice a year, same routine. It started fifteen years ago with a swollen toe.. sausage toe. Not a good omen for a piano player. So far, so good. She’s smart, funny, keeps me calm. Today there was a student doctor with her, standing a few steps too far away, firing questions without ever looking up. I thought about giving feedback re: rapport, eye contact, connection the things that matter. But then again, maybe she’ll figure it out on her own, the way we all do, after enough time on the road, in the rooms, making mistakes, learning how to be present.

The tours and the doctors, confirmations and checkups. Same long itinerary. You go from one stop to another, hoping for good sound, good people, and your joints don’t stiffen in a critical moment.