Calling Cards: Road Movie to the Yukon
11/11/2010 at 6:21 pm | Posted in 49>50, How to this-or-that, News & Explanations, Stories from the Road | 16 CommentsTags: 49 to 50, 50 states tour, al-can highway, alaska, canada, drive, marian-call, Music, postcards
UPDATE ON THIS BLOG: much to my shock and awe, nearly 400 people have already requested postcards. That’s a lot more than I anticipated! I have about 200 postcards to mail out, I’ll get some Alaska ones to round out the bunch. This means 2 things: 1) this might take a little longer than I thought, and 2) I need more postcards! If you want to send me some from your area, mail them to me (clean and unposted so I can use them) at PO Box 190926 Anchorage AK 99519! Beautiful, tacky, everything’s welcome as long as it’s rated PG. Read on, you can still apply until midnight 12/6.
UPDATE #2: Final count for postcard requests: 485. I have some thank you notes to write as well. This may take a while. But thank you for your support and interest! I’ll be working on this for a loooooong time.
SO! I have finished playing shows in 49 states out of 50. And I am driving back home. Through the Yukon. In winter. #survivethedrive
I had lofty aspirations of blogging and photoblogging this trip, but that will have to happen retroactively. Because, the thing is, when you travel to all 50 states — you spend an awful lot of time driving. I have been collecting notes for some badass blogging, and possibly short stories, once I’m home. And I have amazing photos ready to share once I have some time alone with my beloved laptop.
This whole insane seven-month-long nonstop tour was made possible by an unbelievable wave of support from a very, very small group of people. In a sense I set out to prove that a small sustainable friendly community on Twitter (5000-9000 people) and Facebook (1000-2000 people with lots of overlap) could support a tour of tremendous expense and reach. It was a test of the Long Tail theory and the 1,000 True Fans proposition. It was a test of the tensile strength of the internet and social media on the whole. It was also a test of my health and endurance and mind and heart in every possible way.
And here’s the thing:
WE DID IT.
I left Anchorage on May 15th in my Subraru, drove through and played in 48 states as well as every Canadian province except the Maritimes (I’ll getcha next year, guys). I’ll be home in Alaska by Thanksgiving, weather permitting, and I’ll hit Hawai’i in December. My grand Victory Concert will be on 12/23 at the Tap Root in Anchorage, AK.
Twitter and Facebook have preserved my soundness of mind on this trip. It’s psychologically devastating in ways I can’t describe to see nothing familiar for weeks at a time. I might need therapy. Or else a good long round of singing “We’re Out for Blood.” But when I was alone and witnessing something amazing, my Hive Mind was there — people I know, people I don’t, all keeping tabs on me. You all kept this crazy lady sane.
I wish I could think of a good enough way to even BEGIN to thank you guys. Instead I’m always begging you to come to shows or do more promo, come up with more ideas, answer my questions about groundhogs…and while I can’t afford to stop asking those things, I want to do SOMETHING nice for you. I’ve been trying to think up a good thing.
So here’s what I’d like to do: send you a postcard!!!
I’ve been purchasing postcards from all the states and provinces I’ve been to, and I have a couple hundred by now. And one is for you!*
If you want one, fill out this form: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEtxLXN2c1dEdWtGUE8xbXBnSlRwTGc6MQ (If the link doesn’t work immediately, try copying/pasting it.)
This is free, and for everyone. U.S., Canada, overseas. You don’t have to have come to a show or even been helpful. You might have discovered me last week. I don’t care, I’ll send you a postcard anyhow!
I’m also collecting memories from the tour in this spreadsheet — from your perspective. Like a yearbook. Don’t let me ever forget about the Tribble Hug at Thinkgeek, or how Grandma nearly got run over at my show in North Carolina, or how I threw pineapple at my host’s son’s nose for missing the a capella dinner show in Bend, OR.
This is, again, totally free for all — including folks overseas! Won’t lie, right about now I’d really appreciate a tip or a T-shirt sale or an album purchase, as getting up the Al-Can is unearthly expensive and I’m a little broke without shows every night. (Plus, the many holidays are approaching! Happy Festivus…) But whether or not you tip, this is totally free. I want to thank you for being one of the Most Amazing Little Fanbases on the Internet. I’m gonna make up an awards ceremony with a not-so-meaningful prize and give it to you.** Because you may not be many fans, but you are clearly the RIGHT fans. You are mighty.
I’ma go home now, plan my Hawai’i trip (help welcomed), rest up, pay my late taxes, and finish an album or two. Phew.
I love you guys all.*** Thank you SO MUCH.
Marian
*You can’t choose a state for the postcards, sorry. I tried to pick cool ones. If somehow I run out, I’ll send you an awesome Alaskan one. This offer good thru Dec. 6th. And I have really nice handwriting, I promise.
**Actually I think I just did. Postcard trophies for everyone!
***But not that way. You’re imagining things.
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I'm a singer-songwriter who likes to be engaged in all the arts and the business of the arts. All my official stuff (including my other "random thoughts" Wordpress blog, http://mariancallmarginalia.wordpress.com) can be found at MarianCall.com or most major networking sites.Blogroll
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I’m getting an error from google when I try to find the spreadsheet
:-(
Comment by Christina S— 11/11/2010 #
I had to copy and paste the URL into my browser. It worked fine then.
Jeff
Comment by Jeff Dahn— 11/11/2010 #
CONGRATULATIONS, MARIAN!
I never had any doubt because … “We are Mighty!”
Safe travels home!
Hugs,
Colleen
Comment by MizBehavin1— 11/11/2010 #
Oh, and excuse my Tribblefest location error on my Postcard Request due to lack of coffee ingested. =P
Comment by MizBehavin1— 11/11/2010 #
Thanks very much for not forgetting us international lot. I’m off to go buy a shirt or 3 to help front the inordinate cost of sending it’ll end up being because of the hatred resident in the post.
Mainly because then I don’t need to do washing. *is a smart thinker*
Comment by Drug Crazed Dropkick— 11/11/2010 #
I hope you had as much fun as I (WE) did over the course of this odyssey, and would love to come up to Alaska and catch you in your native habitat.
Have a safe and sane remainder of the journey.
BIG hugs from me,
Jeff
Comment by Jeff Dahn— 11/11/2010 #
Awesome (and epic) tour idea capped by an awesome thank you gesture. Sweet good lord, leave some awesome for the rest of humanity, would you?
Congrats on a truly impressive, successful, and unique piece of DIY artistic creation.
Comment by Ben Mund— 11/11/2010 #
Marian,
Great to meet you! Postcard request completed, no problem.
Just a suggestion, perhaps you could set up a temp. mailbox, and we all could send YOU Christmas cards. See how many of the 50 states you collect :).
Cheers…
ctdannyd
Comment by Dan— 11/12/2010 #
Dan, I think that’s a marvelous idea.
Hopefully, Marian goes for it.
Jeff
Comment by Jeff Dahn— 11/12/2010 #
I have a PO box that’s good for fanmail already — listed at http://mariancall.com/contact.php!
Comment by Marian Call— 11/13/2010 #
[…] I have finished playing shows in 49 states out of 50. And I am driving back home. Through the Yukon. In winter. #survivethedrive I had lofty aspirations of blogging and photoblogging this trip, but that will have to happen retroactively. Because, the thing is, when you travel to all 50 states — you spend an awful lot of time driving. I have been collecting notes for some badass blogging, and possibly short stories, once I'm home. And I ha … Read More […]
Pingback by Calling Cards: Road Movie to the Yukon (via Marian Call’s Official Blog) « Ollure Fantasy Photography Weblog— 11/12/2010 #
How exciting! I’ve sent you my details, and I’m glad you’ve finished your amazing tour!
Comment by MsLogica— 11/13/2010 #
So sad I didn’t get out to see this tour. You need to come to halifax next time! Huge fan.
Comment by amanda arab— 12/05/2010 #
Wish I could have seen you when you were here in Florida, near Orlando. But in my defense, I was up in Boston meeting my new (and first grandchild) granddaughter!
Anywho, I want you to know I’m really proud of you, and in awe of all you’ve accomplished, Marian. It’s amazing to me what all you’ve done and what you will continue to do. You make it look so easy. But we know better. ;)
You’ve come a long way, kiddo. And are still intact. Win-win. :)
Comment by Susan M. (Tsuz)— 12/05/2010 #
[…] up the myriad loose ends of the tour — such as chipping away at the nearly 500 postcards I have to write, digging out all the important contacts and business cards, and sending thank yous […]
Pingback by Compiling…Compiling…Rebooting the 49>50 Blog « Marian Call’s Official Blog— 01/21/2011 #
[…] Uniquely devoted to her fans, Call strives to foster a community. She recently sent almost 400 postcards thanking individual supporters for being part of her fanbase. Her unique tour schedule includes house concerts, cafes, and larger […]
Pingback by Geek Girl Con, Chase Masterson, Marian Call, geeky girls | GeekGirlCon— 07/14/2011 #