Diary of a Madwoman III: Vyktoria Strikes Back!

Hello again!

Sorry it's taken me well into this new millenium to write "the news." I have no excuses, other than post traumatic food dilemma. Ah...the fine cuisine of the British Isles. I mean, I never would of thought to put tuna salad inside my baked potato (cringe). Meanwhile, I did survive, lost a few pounds and am here to bore, uh, tell you all about it.

This is the last entry of the "Vyk does Tull" mega tour extravaganza....Part 3...The UK. The tour was, of course, mega! UK audiences really listen! Almost too polite...but they also buy lots of CDs...which was very polite of them, don't you think? Hello to all you new UK fans and I look forward to playing in your beautiful country again soon. Which, by the way, would be much speedier with the help of a booking agent type person. Any ideas? Offers?

Travel on this trip was a new experience as I braved THE BUS with its black-leathered, double decker type interior, crammed with many a crew member, all smoking cigarettes at the same time with no ventilation! Most nights, as the bus wheeled and swayed, I managed to get to my bunk before total motion sickness was imminent. It was a blast though, really. Waking in the morning was equally eventful...as I could hear crew members (guys in briefs) right outside my bunk, and I had to wait for the exact moment when the coast was clear to make a dash for it and get dressed in 10 seconds....ready...GO! The rest of the day was easy. We did 16 shows, which brought the UK tour to an end and Tull's 1999 tour season to a close. Then we all basically partied our heads off (well, some of us). All in all, I did 42 shows with Jethro Tull (US and UK), and it was the best time of my life...so far. What more can I say? Mega!!

After the tour, I embarked on the vacation part of my trip. A month was spent cruising around England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland in search of the mysterious circles (stone, crop, cow, and some sheep)...and ever in search of the elusive SOMETHING TO EAT THAT TASTED GOOD. Most of the time, I went straight for the Bailey's. I had a great time and would do it all again. Perhaps in Summer, when there's more than three hours of daylight.

In other news...I'm back in Sedona and enjoying writing, reading, hiking, and eating. I am also working on the final details for my new live CD which will be out around mid-April. It was recorded at various shows on the Jethro Tull tour and is the first live CD for me. It features nine VPK tunes with bits of quirky between-song banter. Stay tuned for a full page on that soon. Also, as previously mentioned, the hugely talented Andrew Giddings (Tull's keyboard dude) and I will be working on a new studio recording of mine in the Fall. No release is set as of yet...but I will keep you posted.

A snail mailing will be going out soon with tour dates and CD info. If you're not already on the mailing list, you can sign up on this here website. If you are on the mailing list and can send in an update, that would be helpful!

Thanks to everyone for your support and I hope to see you soon!!

Vyktoria