Another Hurdle Cleared

After sitting in some really weird highway 99 traffic, I managed to take Western Ave. (which is never faster than 99) and arrived at Raechelle's a mere half hour later than expected. But I had wine, so that was nice for everyone. TBGE cooked a delicious chicken with mushroom sauté and green beans, and we looked through her old yearbooks/high school photos. She got me caught up on all of her old prom dates and crushes, fawning and smiling. It was very cute.

Guitar Night went amazingly smoothly. There was no discomfort on my end and it didn't appear to be on anyone else's. In addition to the standard songs in the Guitar Night Binder, I played an original from my recording days with And Tears Fell (which was well received), as well as a coffee house arrangement I've done of Depeche Mode's "Blasphemous Rumours". It was cool meeting Travis Metcalf and Chris Taylor (not the game designer), Sean McParland was a great host and kept the fire pit ablaze, and Shaun Darragh gave me bigger props than I ever would have expected by calling me "brother" upon my exit. When you get that from the girlfriend's "big bro", I think you're officially in the family.

Got home a bit later than expected, but not too bad. Got the pets fed and kids in bed, sent out a thank you email, and I was asleep when my head hit the pillow at 11:30.

And that's when the dreams began. Some really random and partly disturbing dreams, the last of which woke me at 5:30 AM. I drifted in and out of light sleep until 7:30, but my REM sleep was very much done for the night.

Taking a sushi picnic to Raechelle today. Weather should be excellent.

We're at 48 hours and counting 'til California.