Club Cafe - Pittsburgh, PA (June 29, 2002) 
 
Creative Writing Assignment - "What I Did For My Birthday" 
 
Well, let's see.....My band Carbon Leaf ("Carbon" as in dioxide, "Leaf" as in tree) had to play 2 shows in Pittsburgh, PA. So, the first part of my birthday (5 hrs or so) was spent in our band van, driving from DC to Pittsburgh. I slept for most of it. I woke up when we stopped at a rest area an hour from Pittsburgh. I went inside to go to the loo, and on my way out, I decided to buy myself a birthday milkshake. Chocolate. yum. but I couldn't finish it. so I shared. Terry was grateful. I dozed off again, and woke up at the Club Cafe. The Club Cafe is a cool place. The people are very kind, the food is delicious. It's a smaller venue. It's set up more like a listening room than a rock club; it has tables and chairs in the middle of the floor so that people can actually sit during the band's performance. If one wants to dance, one has to head to the perimeter of the floor where there are no tables or chairs. It's definitely a different vibe. but the cool lights (thanks Denny!) and good PA system and (relatively) spacious stage make for a good show. We loaded in and set up. We were doing 2 shows - early all-ages and later 21+. We finished our check just before doors. we headed upstairs to the most kick ass band room ever (save for the Norva :-) and got ready. we had just enough time to scarf some chips, change clothes, and watch a bit of 13 Ghosts. Perfect pre-show viewing. We headed downstairs and hit the stage. The crowd was small and intimate, and Barry took that into account when making the set list. good call. It worked well. We started the set with Torn and sort of eased our way into the more hyper stuff. While these shows are small, they're often times just as fun. it's just a different vibe. we finished up, hopped down, and said hey to all who came out. among them was our smallest and yougest fan of the night, Ryan. He's 3 or 4 yrs old, a budding drummer to boot. His favorite part is when Barry sings "Ryan Too" in 'The Boxer.' His parents told us he cried when Barry didn't sing it on the AMA performance. Bad Barry. I suppose Ryan forgave Barry, as he hasn't missed a Pittsburgh show yet... 
 
Once everyone had cleared out, they closed doors again so the bar could clean up and prepare for the next show. While the opening band - our good friends and Pittsburgh natives, Wild Geese - began setting up, we headed upstairs to regroup, relax, and order some dinner. I enjoyed one of my birthday cupcakes, then headed on a walk with my good (and LONG time) friend Margaret. The others just hung out upstairs and relaxed. When we returned from our walk, dinner was up. Wild Geese was getting ready to start, so it was time to begin thinking about the next show. So I thought about it. And ate another cupcake. Pretty soon, we were up. The crowd was 3 x bigger than the early show, and consequently 3 x rowdier. there would be no easing into this set! we came out strong, guns a' blazin'. and it made for a really good show. our best showing in Pittsburgh to date. the crowd was with us from start to finish. there were familiar faces (thanks to TJ and Deirdre for making the trek), as well as lots of new ones. Of course my pal Margaret (thanks for enduring BOTH shows!) and her long-time boyfriend Ty (Ty as in "phoon", not as in "the shoe") were present and accounted for. Thank you guys for bringing people out (Marissa & Co.!)! All in all, it was a killer 2nd show. We finished the set, did 2 encores (hellyea Country Rds), and called it a night. we said hello to everyone we could, packed up as soon as we could, and headed back home. After a short tutorial from a Pittsburgh cop on how to drive the van with a trailor (I'm not saying who was driving! It WASN'T me :-), we were on our way. 
 
I had a good birthday. I got cupcakes, a Plan 9 gift cert, 2 kick ass shows in Pittsburgh, a goat cheese pizza, and some interesting cards from the guys. just 362 days till we can do it all again.