<< Dragonfly

2006 > August

West Coast Tour, Days 3-4 >>

West Coast Tour, Days 0-2 ::

Tue. 15 Aug. (Day 0)

Arlette graciously picked me up in Justin’s truck, which we were to borrow. On the way to their place, we talked about her collection of mutant sheep and deer skulls (odd numbers of horns). I helped unload Justin’s beloved hot dog man. We’d look at it and laugh, stare it for awhile, look away, look back and start laughing all over again.

Wed. 16 Aug. (Day 1)

By the time we extracted the gear for the live show from my studio, crammed it into the back of Justin’s truck, dealt with one of those occasional interpersonal dramas and crammed ourselves into the front of Justin’s truck (3 across), it was 1:30 pm. We stopped for gas twice, a breather once, got stuck in traffic around the Hollywood Bowl, and finally arrived at Nova Express in LA at 8:30, due to start playing at 9:30.

What a cool place! Check out the alien theme. Fantastic pizzas are served on miniature flying saucers with flashing lights around the bottom. There are mutant sheep (I think) skulls on the walls!

Lisette, who books and promotes the Wednesday night shows, was so nice and helpful as we got set up. She asked me how we’d found out about the place. I said “Andre LaFosse.” Someone nearby piped up, “that would be me.” I’d wondered who I knew in LA and where they played, thought of him, and found Nova Express on his list of recent gigs.

My former Apple colleague Dan Brown appeared. He helped me get all the gear connected in the dark. Aside from taking way too long to set up (we didn’t start until a little after 10), the show went well. I figured out a few tricks to make future setups quicker.

After the show I called Bill Thompson, my former Opcode coworker (from the 1988-90 era!); we’d been invited to stay with him. I forgot the directions, had to call again, and put him on speakerphone as I drove. He and Joann got to talking. She remarked that she had a sense of deja vu talking with him and asked him how old he was. When we got to his house, they realized that Bill and Joann’s ex had both been working at Sweetwater in 1999—they’d met then. Such a small world.

Thu. 17 Aug. (Day 2)

Had a pleasant long breakfast with Bill and his wife Carole. Drove from Woodland Hills back to Belmont via US 101. It was hot and cramped in the front seat of the pickup. Stopped for lunch in Solvang, a little piece of Denmark in California.

<< Dragonfly

2006 > August

West Coast Tour, Days 3-4 >>

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