COMING SOON!
CHAPTER TWO
Music side story for Permanent Vacation Sept 2017
The thing Lucy really liked about Oahu is how little it seemed to change. The airport, the swaying palm tree’s, Kahuku Superette for Poke, La Mariana Sailing Club in Honolulu for pupus and cocktails, and to watch the yacht’s come in and out among the thick green enchanted fronds. The locals are chipper …Ted’s carrot cake, always moist and Kalua Pig Nachos, smokey, dripping with hot cheese and spice. The concrete high rises that still had that 1970’s vibe, shared their space with newer architecture, cell phones, congestion. Honolulu restaurants may have evolved into the upscale mainstream tapestry but much of the aloha soul held on to it’s roots with a seemingly breezy vice grip, you just had to venture outside of the big city to feel Oahu’s own island culture. Real Hawaiian’s weren’t hanging out in Waikiki, just ask Willie K- a singing musical treasure.
Before her trip to visit her brother in Oahu she’d been loading up on all Hawaiian kitsch. Watching Hawaii 5-0 classic and comparing it to the more recent remake Hawaii 5-0 (she loved both). Then there was her favorite retro TV show Magnum P.I., she knew the streets of Kalanianaole HWY. where the fictional , “Robin’s Nest” island retreat of Robin Masters was -still there but owned by someone new who was rehabbing the Waimanalo Beach property. The restaurants like Crouching Lion on the North Shore, close to her brother that over looked the ocean and had a great group of locals who frequented the mountain side restaurant for late night eats. They mostly maintained the integrity of who they had always been…would it be the same on this visit Lucy wondered, she hoped… the fast changes of the world and her life made her wonder.
Her brother always liked to pick Lucy up at the airport but her sister in law, Jenny’s car had punked out on Pearl City highway, not the best area and Neil had to pick her up first.
Lucy took a cab to the dock where her boat was waiting. Her cab driver wasn’t much of a talker but they stopped by a Starbucks and after a iced caramel macchiato, her treat, he helped her with her bags to the boat.
Lucy got settled in her floating hotel room. The yacht was anything but palatial, it felt like a kid brothers bedroom with neon beer signs in the tiny windows over the bar kitchen galley. A calendar of sexy pin up babes on the mini fridge and multi colored nautical floating balls with little lights inside them illuminated the small cabin space that included her combo bed/couch next to the multi use kitchen table/wet bar/ desk. It was like an interior of a tiny RV. But when she climbed outside and stepped onto bow of the boat, it was a breath taking island getaway. The lapping of the waves rocked the yacht ever so gently and her new Top Sider boat shoes made her feel secure against the seemingly slippery fiberglass boat floor.
She sat down on one of the sturdy little deck chair seats and took in the view from her slip. Most of the neighboring boats were empty and with the sunsetting many of the yachting types had made their way to the marina for cocktails and pupu’s, also known as appetizers. The breeze was sweet and and reassuring, like nothing wrong could possibly be wrong in the world. No struggle, hunger or strife could wreck this moment of bliss. Until her cell phones text vibration scarred the shit out of her.
Heart pounding, she laughed, embarrassed and looked around nervously to see if anyone caught her freakout. The docks seemed eerily empty.
The green cube on her iPhone showed two text’s…one from her long lost music agent Guy. He had been relatively M.I.A since the music recording contract had fallen through a year ago. He tried to get her some gigs but the money wasn’t great for unknown acts who didn’t play covers (cover songs are popular songs recorded by famous bands). And it was a lot of work for she and her band who already had day jobs and families to practice weekly.
The text from Guy simply said CALL ME in capitals. The second text said, NOW. But with the time difference being 5 hours, she just texted back, GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU, JUST ARRIVED IN HONOLULU, WILL CALL YOU IN TWO WEEKS WHEN I GET BACK.
Then she pressed send and cracked open a Diet Pepsi…feeling the waves gently rock her back and fourth, the orange and gold sun sinking against the fading blue horizon was like an electric tie dye.
She almost ruined her tranquility with bitter thoughts of dashed dreams of rock stardom. Why did Guy have to text her right now!? All her life that had been the dream…she tried to hold on after the music company went bankrupt but after getting a taste of booking her band- to an audience of drunk regulars who peed on the seats, or simply ignored the music, then driving in snow storms to places where there was no heat and packing up equipment in ice storms, she had let that dream go like a balloon in the wind. She was too old, fat and tired to chase the music dragon any longer.
She knew her songs were good, they were catchy and meaningful…her band had gone the funky, soul route and it seemed so good but they weren’t a “bar band” churning out classic rock…or a hipster skinny jean and black eyeliner, fuzzed out guitar band either. So quietly, she just stopped trying to book them…why was she holding onto something folks just weren’t that into people liked what they heard in high school. Her only consolation was that other musicians loved her band and so did bartenders. But that wasn’t enough to keep them going. Lucy had thrown in the towel to focus on her salon, which thankfully was thriving.
Her phone buzzed again. Fuck, really!? She thought. She almost tossed her phone in the ocean.
The text from Guy said: CALL ME!
She came here to get away from her life…not be strangled by the tight tentacles of her unrequited dreams. She wasn’t in the mood for some “bird seed” gigs from Guy. So, she turned off her phone.
Her mind was racing…But before she could obsess she heard the big clomps of feet on the pier, it was her brother! She was so excited!
“Neil!!!,” she shot up and raced to her big 6’8 “little” brother.
“Just me,” he bellowed,”I dropped Jenny off back home she’s packing for her trip.” Neil, her big 6’8 brother gave her a big bear hug and she almost started crying. It was just so good to see him after dads passing and all the stress of 7 days a week starting the salon… She forgot she was related to anyone, she had just felt so alone in the world. These were all the things she told her brother over blue cheese dip and a martini for him, a soda and lime for her, as the sun dipped into it’s indigo island blanket for the night. Jimmy James had stocked the fridge and it really made this trip get off to a good start.
“Where is Jenny going,” Lucy asked as she started tidying up so they could go out for sushi.
“You know my scientist spouse, she is heading to the Kwajalein Islands to work on some government stuff, I think it actually has to do with cancer research, but I have no idea- she doesn’t discuss work with me much. So I may go, just for a few days, if its ok- she has to see if she can get clearance, ya know, no civilians there…” I was a little shocked, I had thought this trip was all about us, but I was OK with a little “me” time.
“Did Jenny ever meet our Uncle who worked for NASA?” We had cousins on my dads side who lived on the military island for 5 years… our Uncle had worked on the first space shuttle.
“Yes, they met once, but we were still so young, she wasn’t working back then. You know Uncle Edwin, not a big talker.”
We headed to Yanagi Sushi on Kapiolani Blvd. there was parking and it was my brother’s favorite sushi joint in town. Supposedly all the well connected Japanese folks came here for the best spider roll, sashimi and chicken katsu. Neil liked it because it opened early and kept late hours…he was always looking for intrigue, and from time to time allegedly some of the asian underground made its way to this place for dinner. Because my brothers life was quiet he liked to spice it up with stories from his neighbors.
We got seated and ordered, Neil took a sip of his warm saki, “are you gonna have a problem if I go on this thing with Jenny? I’d be back next monday, so that still gives us a week.”
“No, not at all, I want to do some “Lucy” stuff, ya know Jelly’s Bookstore, Duke’s brunch with Kapono singing, that kinda stuff, I know you guys aren’t into that…”
Now it was his turn to grab his phone, “probably Jenny, she’s still at work.”
The waitress was serving our rolls as his face took on a perplexed look, “Luce, do you know a guy named…Guy? He just texted me for you to call him…oh, shit, Jenny’s calling,” I’m gonna grab it-“
“I’ll call Guy.” I could feel y blood begin to boil. Texting my brother? Seriously! The restaurant was loud so I went outside.
The phone barley rang twice, “FInally, jesus, can’t call me back,” Guy said sounding irritated.
“Well hello to you too,” jesus, I thought, irrupted already.
“Im gonna make your dreams come true but I need you to commit tonight.”
I didn’t like the sound of this, all my rash decisions had gotten me in trouble- why should this be any different.
“I told you if I could get your music in the right peoples hands it would be off to the races! They want to hire you to write for Ashly Martin, she’s changing her image and wants to sing something more then contrite pop songs… they LOVE and I mean love your songs…it’s a big pay day and if the album does well, more songs…more money.”
So here I stood, in the parking lot, with frantic asians parking luxury cars, sweating in the hot hawaiian night…trying to escape my life but my life had followed me. This could be the biggest decision I would ever make financially in my life and Amanda was in a snow storm back in Canada…and I was in shock. Performing was a young persons gig…I could still create great music with Todd, and not have to worry about my ass size or cramming into a van and playing for a two person crowd. So, I just said yes.
Hopefully my writing partner Todd would understand.
“Lucy, he already agreed…he called me back,” Guy cleared his throat, “right away, unlike you.”
“Oh, well…ok then.” I paused,” do you really think this is the right move?” I nervously wavered.
“If your songs can get famous by some one who’s won more grammy’s then Taylor Swift…then I’d say you have a lot more leverage out there in radio-land to strike a deal for yourself…look at Sia.”
I shifted my weight, the leather of my sandal’s were biting into my feet.
“Whatever…long story short, I’m gonna send some files to you to sign via email, you can just initial them, but I need them in the next couple hours ok.”
“So I’m gonna be the next Diane Warren.” I joked, feeling butterflies in my stomach. She was one of my favorite pop song writers, who’d written for LeAnn Rimes, How Do I Live, Toni Braxton’s, Unbreak My Heart and more. I think I could be ok with that, I thought. Maybe I could buy a little grass shack next to my brother with the proceeds.
Only time would tell.
CHAPTER TWO
Music side story for Permanent Vacation Sept 2017
The thing Lucy really liked about Oahu is how little it seemed to change. The airport, the swaying palm tree’s, Kahuku Superette for Poke, La Mariana Sailing Club in Honolulu for pupus and cocktails, and to watch the yacht’s come in and out among the thick green enchanted fronds. The locals are chipper …Ted’s carrot cake, always moist and Kalua Pig Nachos, smokey, dripping with hot cheese and spice. The concrete high rises that still had that 1970’s vibe, shared their space with newer architecture, cell phones, congestion. Honolulu restaurants may have evolved into the upscale mainstream tapestry but much of the aloha soul held on to it’s roots with a seemingly breezy vice grip, you just had to venture outside of the big city to feel Oahu’s own island culture. Real Hawaiian’s weren’t hanging out in Waikiki, just ask Willie K- a singing musical treasure.
Before her trip to visit her brother in Oahu she’d been loading up on all Hawaiian kitsch. Watching Hawaii 5-0 classic and comparing it to the more recent remake Hawaii 5-0 (she loved both). Then there was her favorite retro TV show Magnum P.I., she knew the streets of Kalanianaole HWY. where the fictional , “Robin’s Nest” island retreat of Robin Masters was -still there but owned by someone new who was rehabbing the Waimanalo Beach property. The restaurants like Crouching Lion on the North Shore, close to her brother that over looked the ocean and had a great group of locals who frequented the mountain side restaurant for late night eats. They mostly maintained the integrity of who they had always been…would it be the same on this visit Lucy wondered, she hoped… the fast changes of the world and her life made her wonder.
Her brother always liked to pick Lucy up at the airport but her sister in law, Jenny’s car had punked out on Pearl City highway, not the best area and Neil had to pick her up first.
Lucy took a cab to the dock where her boat was waiting. Her cab driver wasn’t much of a talker but they stopped by a Starbucks and after a iced caramel macchiato, her treat, he helped her with her bags to the boat.
Lucy got settled in her floating hotel room. The yacht was anything but palatial, it felt like a kid brothers bedroom with neon beer signs in the tiny windows over the bar kitchen galley. A calendar of sexy pin up babes on the mini fridge and multi colored nautical floating balls with little lights inside them illuminated the small cabin space that included her combo bed/couch next to the multi use kitchen table/wet bar/ desk. It was like an interior of a tiny RV. But when she climbed outside and stepped onto bow of the boat, it was a breath taking island getaway. The lapping of the waves rocked the yacht ever so gently and her new Top Sider boat shoes made her feel secure against the seemingly slippery fiberglass boat floor.
She sat down on one of the sturdy little deck chair seats and took in the view from her slip. Most of the neighboring boats were empty and with the sunsetting many of the yachting types had made their way to the marina for cocktails and pupu’s, also known as appetizers. The breeze was sweet and and reassuring, like nothing wrong could possibly be wrong in the world. No struggle, hunger or strife could wreck this moment of bliss. Until her cell phones text vibration scarred the shit out of her.
Heart pounding, she laughed, embarrassed and looked around nervously to see if anyone caught her freakout. The docks seemed eerily empty.
The green cube on her iPhone showed two text’s…one from her long lost music agent Guy. He had been relatively M.I.A since the music recording contract had fallen through a year ago. He tried to get her some gigs but the money wasn’t great for unknown acts who didn’t play covers (cover songs are popular songs recorded by famous bands). And it was a lot of work for she and her band who already had day jobs and families to practice weekly.
The text from Guy simply said CALL ME in capitals. The second text said, NOW. But with the time difference being 5 hours, she just texted back, GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU, JUST ARRIVED IN HONOLULU, WILL CALL YOU IN TWO WEEKS WHEN I GET BACK.
Then she pressed send and cracked open a Diet Pepsi…feeling the waves gently rock her back and fourth, the orange and gold sun sinking against the fading blue horizon was like an electric tie dye.
She almost ruined her tranquility with bitter thoughts of dashed dreams of rock stardom. Why did Guy have to text her right now!? All her life that had been the dream…she tried to hold on after the music company went bankrupt but after getting a taste of booking her band- to an audience of drunk regulars who peed on the seats, or simply ignored the music, then driving in snow storms to places where there was no heat and packing up equipment in ice storms, she had let that dream go like a balloon in the wind. She was too old, fat and tired to chase the music dragon any longer.
She knew her songs were good, they were catchy and meaningful…her band had gone the funky, soul route and it seemed so good but they weren’t a “bar band” churning out classic rock…or a hipster skinny jean and black eyeliner, fuzzed out guitar band either. So quietly, she just stopped trying to book them…why was she holding onto something folks just weren’t that into people liked what they heard in high school. Her only consolation was that other musicians loved her band and so did bartenders. But that wasn’t enough to keep them going. Lucy had thrown in the towel to focus on her salon, which thankfully was thriving.
Her phone buzzed again. Fuck, really!? She thought. She almost tossed her phone in the ocean.
The text from Guy said: CALL ME!
She came here to get away from her life…not be strangled by the tight tentacles of her unrequited dreams. She wasn’t in the mood for some “bird seed” gigs from Guy. So, she turned off her phone.
Her mind was racing…But before she could obsess she heard the big clomps of feet on the pier, it was her brother! She was so excited!
“Neil!!!,” she shot up and raced to her big 6’8 “little” brother.
“Just me,” he bellowed,”I dropped Jenny off back home she’s packing for her trip.” Neil, her big 6’8 brother gave her a big bear hug and she almost started crying. It was just so good to see him after dads passing and all the stress of 7 days a week starting the salon… She forgot she was related to anyone, she had just felt so alone in the world. These were all the things she told her brother over blue cheese dip and a martini for him, a soda and lime for her, as the sun dipped into it’s indigo island blanket for the night. Jimmy James had stocked the fridge and it really made this trip get off to a good start.
“Where is Jenny going,” Lucy asked as she started tidying up so they could go out for sushi.
“You know my scientist spouse, she is heading to the Kwajalein Islands to work on some government stuff, I think it actually has to do with cancer research, but I have no idea- she doesn’t discuss work with me much. So I may go, just for a few days, if its ok- she has to see if she can get clearance, ya know, no civilians there…” I was a little shocked, I had thought this trip was all about us, but I was OK with a little “me” time.
“Did Jenny ever meet our Uncle who worked for NASA?” We had cousins on my dads side who lived on the military island for 5 years… our Uncle had worked on the first space shuttle.
“Yes, they met once, but we were still so young, she wasn’t working back then. You know Uncle Edwin, not a big talker.”
We headed to Yanagi Sushi on Kapiolani Blvd. there was parking and it was my brother’s favorite sushi joint in town. Supposedly all the well connected Japanese folks came here for the best spider roll, sashimi and chicken katsu. Neil liked it because it opened early and kept late hours…he was always looking for intrigue, and from time to time allegedly some of the asian underground made its way to this place for dinner. Because my brothers life was quiet he liked to spice it up with stories from his neighbors.
We got seated and ordered, Neil took a sip of his warm saki, “are you gonna have a problem if I go on this thing with Jenny? I’d be back next monday, so that still gives us a week.”
“No, not at all, I want to do some “Lucy” stuff, ya know Jelly’s Bookstore, Duke’s brunch with Kapono singing, that kinda stuff, I know you guys aren’t into that…”
Now it was his turn to grab his phone, “probably Jenny, she’s still at work.”
The waitress was serving our rolls as his face took on a perplexed look, “Luce, do you know a guy named…Guy? He just texted me for you to call him…oh, shit, Jenny’s calling,” I’m gonna grab it-“
“I’ll call Guy.” I could feel y blood begin to boil. Texting my brother? Seriously! The restaurant was loud so I went outside.
The phone barley rang twice, “FInally, jesus, can’t call me back,” Guy said sounding irritated.
“Well hello to you too,” jesus, I thought, irrupted already.
“Im gonna make your dreams come true but I need you to commit tonight.”
I didn’t like the sound of this, all my rash decisions had gotten me in trouble- why should this be any different.
“I told you if I could get your music in the right peoples hands it would be off to the races! They want to hire you to write for Ashly Martin, she’s changing her image and wants to sing something more then contrite pop songs… they LOVE and I mean love your songs…it’s a big pay day and if the album does well, more songs…more money.”
So here I stood, in the parking lot, with frantic asians parking luxury cars, sweating in the hot hawaiian night…trying to escape my life but my life had followed me. This could be the biggest decision I would ever make financially in my life and Amanda was in a snow storm back in Canada…and I was in shock. Performing was a young persons gig…I could still create great music with Todd, and not have to worry about my ass size or cramming into a van and playing for a two person crowd. So, I just said yes.
Hopefully my writing partner Todd would understand.
“Lucy, he already agreed…he called me back,” Guy cleared his throat, “right away, unlike you.”
“Oh, well…ok then.” I paused,” do you really think this is the right move?” I nervously wavered.
“If your songs can get famous by some one who’s won more grammy’s then Taylor Swift…then I’d say you have a lot more leverage out there in radio-land to strike a deal for yourself…look at Sia.”
I shifted my weight, the leather of my sandal’s were biting into my feet.
“Whatever…long story short, I’m gonna send some files to you to sign via email, you can just initial them, but I need them in the next couple hours ok.”
“So I’m gonna be the next Diane Warren.” I joked, feeling butterflies in my stomach. She was one of my favorite pop song writers, who’d written for LeAnn Rimes, How Do I Live, Toni Braxton’s, Unbreak My Heart and more. I think I could be ok with that, I thought. Maybe I could buy a little grass shack next to my brother with the proceeds.
Only time would tell.
Synopsis
Permanent October is a novel with mystery, romance, intrigue and adventure. City girl Lucy Zwick inherits a winter retreat from her wealthy dead Uncle but the twist is she has to up end her city life and move to tiny town Fossil Creek (fictional city outside of Montreal). She is a lesbian and a hair dresser who has always sang and written books so she is very wary of this move. With the help and support of family and friends she makes the move and her life is forever transformed for the better. Family drama, romance and a new direction for her music take hold. Its a modern twist of On The Road meets The World According to Garp, using humor and adventure to lead the way into a, life less ordinary with an exciting cast of oddball characters and meaningful exchanges. Want to read a book you can't put down...here it is!
Permanent October is a novel with mystery, romance, intrigue and adventure. City girl Lucy Zwick inherits a winter retreat from her wealthy dead Uncle but the twist is she has to up end her city life and move to tiny town Fossil Creek (fictional city outside of Montreal). She is a lesbian and a hair dresser who has always sang and written books so she is very wary of this move. With the help and support of family and friends she makes the move and her life is forever transformed for the better. Family drama, romance and a new direction for her music take hold. Its a modern twist of On The Road meets The World According to Garp, using humor and adventure to lead the way into a, life less ordinary with an exciting cast of oddball characters and meaningful exchanges. Want to read a book you can't put down...here it is!