Last year in August I took a 2 day trip to California to meet up with some longtime friends and see Mary Chapin Carpenter play. It was so fun that when the chance came up again this year, I took it. The Adventure of Awakedom started last Saturday when Susan played a rockin’ show, and I got home from that at 2 AM. I slept fast and got to the airport at about 5 AM (thanks, roommate driver!) and flew to Sacramento, where my California buddies picked me up and we drove to Napa for the first show. My sleep deprivation didn’t even bother me because the show was so good and our seats were AMAAAAZING. Just call me Third Row Center.

I spent Monday wandering around San Francisco, which is a city I love. I walked around for about 5 hours, not drinking water. Even though you’re by an ocean and you’re not used to being by an ocean…doesn’t make it so you don’t need to drink water. You don’t just take in moisture by osmosis. I ignored this fact, though, and the end of my wanderings came with a raging headache. It was still ok, though, because…I love San Francisco.

The next day we took a leisurely drive down to Saratoga, near San Jose, for a show at the Mountain Winery…one of the most stunning venues I have ever seen. The show was excellent again and it was all a blur, but I found myself in Austin by the next afternoon and at a Susan show in Houston by evening. I’m still trying to find that sleep, but I’m not sure where I left it.

There’s not much about MCC that I can say that I haven’t already said. I think she’s one of the best songwriters in America. I cut my guitar teeth on her first 5 albums and continue to learn from her. Her band is full of folks I admire. I learn things about words and music when I watch them all play, and that’s my goal.

It’s nice to fly somewhere different and see someone you admire, though it made me glad that I get to work daily with people I admire on the same level and beyond, because I know them. Good feeling.

Now to drink some water!