Gone Gone Gone

So today is my last day as Promotions Director at the Tide. What a blast it's been working at a place where it's our job to play good music, write creative ads, and build relationships all over the community. One of the first things I remember my boss Tom telling me about radio was "it's not neuroscience." It didn't really make sense then, but now I know it means that if you accidentally give away 24 pairs of backstage tickets to John Mayer's dressing room where he will fan you and feed you grapes, when you were really supposed to give away only 24 tickets, what's the worst that can happen? This is radio, and for the most part, everyone is friendly and easygoing. I think the music helps mellow everyone out.

Speaking of music - during my time here, I've expanded my musical views beyond Dave Wilcox and the Indigo Girls and Hillsong United. I pretty much fell in love with Regina Spektor when she released Begin to Hope. Tom really lo o-o-o o-o-o o-o-oves her too....When Amy was at Bonnaroo she sent me a text saying she'd just interviewed Regina and I remember being ridiculously giddy. I've also discovered that I love most every song by The Police. I've always loved Sting, but I didn't really know the work of The Police. Yeah, a bit belated. I think Kevin's cover band Scrantonicity from The Office was a catalyst in my path of enlightenment. Right now, on any given day in my car, you'll hear Ingrid Michaelson (fave song is "Breakable"), Feist (who is nominated for 4 Grammys!), Mutemath (who were amaaaaazing in concert at The Norva not long ago), and the folks from the movie Once, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who make me want to quit my job, learn to play the guitar and beg my husband to start harmonizing at coffeehouse gigs with me. Well - I am quitting my job, but not to be a musician. I'm leaving the Tide because we're gonna relocate to the other side of the state, and beginning in March, we're beginning a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Some common questions usually follow here. In short, yes - we're attempting the whole 2,175-mile trail, from Georgia to Maine. No, we won't attempt to carry 6-months of food on our back, we'll stop in towns to refuel along the way so we don't get scurvy. Yes! You can check in on us because we'll keep up a little blog with pictures when we find some free Wifi along the way: http://walkingtomaine.blogspot.com/ (Right now it's really rough but updates will start soon). Yes, I'll shave my legs. Yes, we're taking our dog part of the way. No, we're not taking a gun. Yes, we'll probably lose a lot of weight. And yes, we will meet LOTS of cool people - including but not limited to gearheads and treehuggers. Unfortunately, I hear the woods are pretty quiet. Even if I had a solar charger, I don't think Freedom Dancer and Spirit Runner and Unicorn Worshipper would appreciate Feist on my iPod cooing me to sleep in the shelter the same way I would.
~Betsy Balkcom