Played San Diego Friday night. Overall, the show was really strong. Our performance was pretty good. I had some weird computer issues that prevented me from doing a few things, but I think the piece came across well. The performance space was really nice. The stage was really wide (this is where the University orchestra performs) and the guys running the board were on the ball. In fact, all of the sound technicians that we have dealt with were very good. Here's a pic of jeremy warming up:


















All of the pieces on the program were new to me. The Electric Hammer performed 3 works and as usual were slammin'! I had a really fun night out afterwards with everyone. So many cool folks. Jeremy stayed back at the room to sleep before his drive down to Bisbee, AZ and then on to Santa Fe. I rented a car so that he could take care of his affairs and pick up Isaac and Ben (his boys) and I could take my time driving across Arizona to Santa Fe where we will hook back up and play at the High Mayhem Festival.

The drive out of San Diego on I-8 is really stunning. The transition from tropical to desert is very subtle. Palm trees give way to rock and small cacti. Passing through the mountains(Cleveland National Forest...funny) about an hour east of the city, takes you up to some higher elevations that affords really nice views of all the surrounding areas including Mexico to the south. Here's a pic:

















Arizona is just beautiful. Started getting into some beautiful desert valleys east of Yuma, Az. I was making really good time. Because of the spatial relationships of country this open, speed is deceiving. It was easy driving at 80-90 mph...it wasn't until I topped 100 mph that I felt like I was speeding...what fun. But making time wasn't really the point, so I kept stopping to take pictures and just generally experience the place. Temperature in the low 100s, maybe high 90s...not really too bad. I had the overwhelming urge to take all of my clothes off and dance around naked in the dry desert air...I didn't do this but I'm kind of regretting it now:) The colors around here are just spectacular, the sun slipping in and out of the clouds, constantly changing the perception of distance and texture. You almost need to just pick a spot, sit on the ground and hang out for hours. I took I-8 to I-10 just south of Phoenix where I picked up Rt. 79 (beautiful) to Rt. 60 East which would take me all the way to Soccoro, New Mexico. A long drive, but interesting and scenic.

Got into Santa Fe around 1am....tired. Drove about 850 miles today. Worth every moment. My only regret is that it got dark as I got into New Mexico. Almost all of the rooms were booked up due to "Balloon Festival". Finally found a Red Roof Inn. Jeremy and the kids stayed about an hour south. We'll hook up tomorrow.Here's a few pics: