SCOTT: Another Friday and another show has come and gone. Ed and I got out to our location early. Ed is interested in moving to a quieter location. If we go one block north, we could play on the overpass for the ferry passengers spewing from the huge "car ferry" instead of playing under the noisy viaduct (screaming highway loaded with cars) for the much smaller "passenger only" ferry. We briefly discussed the options and decided to stay for yet another morning here in our regular spot. I'm glad we stayed as moments later, we have our first huge break-through after so many weeks of playing.

Wow. It took us both by surprise. Our first fan...an energetic, no-qualms-whatsoever man comes up and yells joyously, arms spread above his head like a receiver who just scored in the Super Bowl.

"YEAH! This is the best part of Friday! Thanks for being out here you guys!!! WE LOVE SILLY PUPPY!!!"

Personally, I'm floored. Ed's floored. We can do nothing but look at each other dumbfoundedly regarding this unexpected spectacle. Not only did someone actually notice that we were here, they took the time to appreciate us, a lot, with volume...and arms over their head.

Moments later, a lady walks by with a huge smile and asks Ed where his "red boa" is on this fine morning. Wow. She remembered that Ed wore a red boa two weeks ago. More people pass, more people smile. Two more "thank you's" come our way from happy commuters. Ed tells me between passing crowds that people saw our sign and muttered, "oh...they're called Silly Puppy" as they went by.

It's funny, this rockstar life, it doesn't take much to feel successful. The big goal is still to get good enough and famous enough to somehow play the Gorge, but the little goal has been reached: we have provided some joy in a few people's lives. The throngs of dreary faces still pass, but many of them are now smiling intead. Many of them have lost that look of "what on earth is this debacle?" Many of them now glow with a slight happiness at the sight of us.

AxL has done his job well this morning. A manila file folder is lying over his back like a saddle as he sleeps. It is emblazoned with "Happy Friday! We are SILLY PUPPY! (Yes we have day jobs!!!)".

Ed and I play and smile at each other. Ed tries to teach me to move my fingers on the frets to play the "Batman" theme song. My fingers move at a speed akin to dried cement. Chords I can do, switch chords smoothly while strumming I cannot do. Yet, in my usual manner, I refuse to let anything detract from the joy of having fans appreciate us.

The issue of money is still at hand. We have yet to make a penny for our efforts, but in so many ways, it's not about cash. At some point, we will need to give in and a hat will need to go out. Real rockstar equipment will need purchasing so that we can be LOUD. LOUD is GOOD. Amps and all the electronics that are the artist's tools necessary for being bona fide rock stars (translation: LOUD rock stars) must be purchased. I dread asking our newborn fans for money. However, I think of last night. I drove to the Gorge and saw the Dave Matthews Band concert. I gladly paid $47.25 including TicketMaster fees to see the show. Perhaps it is time to put out the hat, especially considering that we don't need to charge TicketMaster fees.

I feel as if we have run the first mile of the musical marathon. We have surpassed the hurdle of establishing an actual fan base, however miniscule it might be. I am proud of us. We dreamed, we dared and we are more determined than ever. There is nothing like the taste of success to spur on those who are hungry for their goals. And so I close as it's time to feed the dog.