3.18.10 Day 1:

On the (6:00 AM) PDX>JFK flight I found out that my Looptworks Hoptu laptop sleeve doubles in a pinch as a folding pillow. It allowed me some much needed sleep after an all-night studio session and frantic packing at 4 am before getting on the MAX train to PDX International.

I also use it as a cushy base for my new MacBook Pro because, brainwashed Mac fanboy that I am, I try not to let the aluminum laptop touch any abrasive or hard surfaces, lest it (gasp) get any unsightly scratches.

Whatever. You know you do it too.

The way I see it, in essence, this thing is my entire career inside a 13×9 box, so I should probably treat it nice-nice.  I’m actually using the 15″ sleeve right now for my MbP 13, as the 13″ sleeve doesn’t hit stores til June 2010. I imagine Scott from Looptworks fields at least 20-30 emails per week on this issue, especially since the Hoptu’s got a nice plug from none other than the big O. For now though, the 15 works for me just fine.

This picture of my good friend Lars running into the wall while skating drunk summarizes the general tone of the evening:

Lars Skates and Dances (and runs into a wall) for America

At the end of the evening and a few rounds of drinks we decided to buy Lincoln a stuffed Dragon Head (of course). It was just hanging on the wall at Mac’s and they agreed to sell it to us for 30 bucks. After we bought it we looked at the tag underneath it and realized they had gotten it for 10 at a flea market. Roller hustlers !

Lincoln's Stuffed Dragon Head

3.19.10 Day 2:

Friday morning was the start of MoveOn.Org’s National Leadership Training conference. I’ve worked in a volunteer/activist capacity with MoveOn for about 7 years and I have been a Regional Coordinator for them for about two months. If you’re not familiar with their work, you can check them out at (go figure!) MoveOn.org. Basically, we discussed strategies for growing MoveOn’s base and the vision and action plan for 2010 and beyond.

After 8 hours of talking and phoning and “breakout sessions” I was quite ready for a  drink. So my friend from MoveOn Portland, Alaya Wyndham Price (who has an amazing personal health care story which is as convincing a case for health care reform as any I’ve heard) and I headed over to my friend’s apartment on 15th and Mass Ave for some happy hour chillaxing. The view of DC from the roof there was amazing. Later we went to go see a dubstep/hip-hop group called Aligning Minds who were performing for the Forward Festival @ U Street Music Hall. I would be performing on Sunday for the Forward Festival.

Mass Ave (DC) at Sunset

JHD in his Looptworks Perai hoody @ The Committee for Commerce, Science and Transportation 3.21.10 Day 3: FORWARD FESTIVAL !

I took Sunday off from the MoveOn Conference to focus on getting my set ready for a 3pm solo laptop/vocal performance @ the Forward Festival. I was a bit nevous as the solo laptop performer thing is a relatively new endeavor for me. I’ve played drums and DJ’d for years, but singing and trying to be an electronic one-man-band is a whole other affair. All in all, it went very well and although it was rather sparsely attended,  it was great way to meet some cool people involved in DC’s progressive music and arts communities. The 88 Crew are doing amazing things and I really hope to work with them more in the future.

Unfortunately my video camera crapped out right before my set, so all I have are these nice pics of me (in my bitchin’ new Looptworks Perai Hoodie).

John-Henry playing @ Forward Festival, D

JH Happy in his Hoody at Forward Fest's back alley BBQ in DC

Aligning Minds' van being "prepped" for national tour

After a few hours of spectacular sundown BBQ boogie dancing and carousing, I got to see Jeremy Ellis perform his live MPC set. The man is a virtuoso electronic musician, a formidable piano player and an all-around musical genius. I cannot recommend his live show enough. He brought the house down for a wonderful end to the Forward Festival.

Up next: West Virginia and NYC !  Stay tuned here.