Today’s a harbor day in Astoria, Oregon, friends, and the fleet’s all here.
SW winds of 35 knots, gusting 45, 20-foot seas, and sideways rain… Pretty appropriate conditions to drawn folks in, nation-wide, to the 16th annual Fisher Poets Gathering.
We piled into Cap’n J’s Subaru yesterday – he, me, his sister Ashley, and our buddy Mikey – to make the five hour drive down. The miles flew by as we recounted favorite performances and wondered what new material folks would share. Reunion excitement replaced last year’s greenhorn uncertainty. We’ve been looking forward to this all year – as veteran performer Rob Seitz said at last night’s welcome dinner, “pretty much since the last weekend of February last year.”
Speaking of that welcome dinner, Joel “I’m not the writer, I’m just here to support her” Brady-Power took the mic with a poem about his fisherboy-to-fisherman journey. Even among such a supportive crowd, it takes a lot of courage to get up there. He did a great job. (There might even be a video in a future Hooked post…) I’m super-proud of him; please join me in giving him some kudos.
I’m having a quiet moment at the Danish Maid Bakery right now, trying to quell the stomach jitters already building for tonight’s reading. (Because caffeine and sugar are great ingredients for calm…) It’s a ways away yet: 6:30 at the Wet Dog, squeezed between highliners Geno Leech and Rob. If you’re there, be sure to say hello.
Even if you’re not with us in person, thanks to Astoria’s KMUN Coast Radio you can catch the Astoria Events Center performances wherever you are. They’re live-streaming tonight’s and tomorrow’s shows, 6 – 10 pm PST. There’s a fantastic line-up at the Events Center – some of my favorites – and Southeast fleet elders won’t want to miss the Fisher Poets tribute to Harrison “Smitty” Smith, on Saturday night at 6:30. Tune in here.
Also, a couple of us female fisherfolks with be on the radio in a couple hours. Listen here, Friday afternoon at 3:30.
Whether you’re here in person or catching the live-stream, I’d love to hear who you heard and what you thought.
They’ve appointed themselves my entourage — Taco, Kazoo, & Cap’n J. They’re not well paid, but I sure do love this bunch.
Great big thanks to Coast Radio for making these performances available to folks who can’t be here in person, and for being such a loyal FPG supporter. The number of folks who make this event possible is staggering and humbling; gratitude to all.
Thinking of you, Tele, and wishing I could be there (again). Looking forward to tracking as much of the action as possible from here in Seattle. It’s howling up here today, too, and the guys participating in the usual survival suit drill at Fishermen’s Terminal had more to contend with than usual. Please give my best to Rob S and Jen P — and look out for Brett Veerhusen and Ben Blakey of Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay, who will be there in a few hours as well, spreading the gospel.
Thanks, Scott! Rob told me we knew you in common. Didn’t see Brett or Ben; I didn’t make it to any of the workshops, unfortunately. You were with us in spirit; looking forward to you and Lisa being able to join in person one of these years.
Hey Scott!
When are you finally going to make it down? Next year?!? We all got that in writing!
I got to meet Brett and Ben, it was nice to put a face with the virtual face. They did a whiz-bang job engaging the audience about Pebble Mine. I’d be remiss if I didn’t add Bill Carter to that list. He had the audience “oohing & ahhing” with his facts.
Catch ya on the flip side,
Jen
Hi Tele. I really wish I could be there to hear all of you. Say hi to Pat Dixon for me! Have a wonderful weekend!
Annie! Whenever it works out for you, we’ve saved you a spot. Last weekend of February. Hope all’s good for you, friend… You’ve been writing a lot lately — good on you!
Tele, you were wonderful last night. You had them ALL sitting and listening intently. Great job!
Ah, jeez… Thanks for the encouragement, and for the mentoring! Studying the pro’s helps.
Darn it all! I just read this now so I missed catching you on the radio yesterday. I’m going to try to tune in this evening though.
Tele, I was thinking of you as I participated in the 2nd Beauty of A Woman Blogfest. http://augustmclaughlin.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/boaw-blogfest-ii/
I have a feeling you would have a fine contribution to add next year. Check it out!
Enjoy the weekend … your entourage does look very loveable!
Patricia, congratulations on being one of the 51 contributors! You’re an ideal participant; good job, friend. Thanks for the heads up — I’ll look for Caroline Kennedy’s anthology.
whooooo hooooo tele! we saw you last night at fort george and fell head over heels with your writing! and your presentation style.…WOW.…you drew me right in and i didn’t want it to end! will anxiously be awaiting your memoir.…although i’m wondering if you would consider readding it nightly to me?
Deb, you made my night with that comment — thanks for the kindness and the laugh! I’m glad you had a good time. If you’re a Fisher Poets regular, be sure to come say hello next year!
Hey Tele!
It was so great to see you again this year and really great that we even got a chance to visit. Now if I could just catch your act! Ron said it was amazing. Next year.
Good fishin’
Jen
Jen, I’m so glad to have gotten to actually sit down in the same physical space with you for once! I don’t know if we’ll ever manage to not be cross-scheduled at FPG, but I’ll be looking forward to the next time our paths cross, whenever/however. Thanks for representing with the Pebble Mine stuff; great article in the Daily.
Oh — if your friend Blair’s still in B’ham, send her to http://www.redwheelbarrowwriters.com, and look up their FB page for info on B’ham stuff. Sounds like she wasn’t going to be here much longer, right? Village Books is always hosting cool (free!) writerly things, too.