It being just after the first of July, it’s time to do the “mid-year assessment” on the 2010 Goals. How are we doing?

Well, I did WRITE IN SOME DIFFERENT GENRES—a medieval ballad, another polka, and country death metal. No doubt there will be more. I entered four SONG CONTESTS the first half of 2010, but didn’t win any (and the goal was to win them, not enter them). I do PLAY WITH MORE PEOPLE—everywhere and everywhen I can. BECOME A HOUSEHOLD WORD? I’m getting better known, but I have a long way to go. I am not yet as common a household word as (say) “toilet paper.”

EXPAND USE OF VIDEO? A little—I just figured out how to “French video” another of my songs. I haven’t videoed any of the Southern Pigfish songs, though I have scripted some out. I did get a video camera (eBay), but I haven’t used it. I have figured out how to dump some of the Arts Center’s open mike films from their big camera into iMovie, and produce simple gig-soliciting videos of me playing solo. GETTING OTHER PEOPLE TO PLAY MY SONGS? A little there, too. Polly Hager has recorded three, and a band up in Canada performed one live (and I saw the video on YouTube).

For the rest, I can’t point to any progress. I haven’t finished either the JOE ALBUM or the SOUTHERN PIGFISH ALBUM (though I do finally have the songs picked out for the latter). No WEEK IN NASHVILLE—not with no money at all. No WEBSITE, either. Obviously, I have yet to FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE A LIVING OFF THIS STUFF. I haven’t managed to TEACH A SONGWRITING CLASS, either, though I keep promoting the idea.

All the above sounds awfully unhopeful. I did find something on another front to get excited about. A little town of less than 600 people in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska is looking for a city manager, and I’m applying. I would really like that job. A bit isolated (I think the only way in or out is by ferry), and a lot of rain (might be the first place I’ve lived in years that didn’t feel too dry), and reportedly some of the best fishing on the planet. Could be a lot of fun.

I won’t have a Bay City Arts Center Band for the open mike Saturday; there’s some interest on the part of two Board members (piano and guitar), but no time to practice. I’ll plan on doing a 4-song set myself (about 15 minutes) if a few people show up (and might forego it if a lot of musicians show up), and will plan on having the jam session at the end (which will appeal to those who want informality—myself, if I’m hosting the show, I want structure). I have no idea at this writing how many people will come—and since I’ll be out of town for two days at the Oregon Country Fair, I’ll simply have to accept that I’ve done as much promotion as I could.

Before I leave on the 2-day trip, I have a graphic-design project to finish (for the 2nd Street Market), column to finish for the paper, an event to attend (and article to write) for the paper, the Alaska job application to send off, and a waiver form to put together for the Garibaldi Days musicians. The longer the to-do list grows, the more that 2-day trip is going to feel like a vacation. I’ll be immediately busy as soon as I get back.

Joe