Crashing California

This weekend was spent -- with music. It was our first weekend (perhaps many more?) playing at SanDiegoChurch with the team. They practice on Saturdays, at 1:00 at a really cool little church just outside San Diego...so we arrived earlier, and helped set up. There were 5 songs for the service on Sunday -- we practiced for five and a half hours -- it was very exhausting, in fact, I couldn't even describe to you how tired I was. Emotionally and Physically drained afterwards, I felt borderline sick (or coming down with something-ish) and I was ready to crash when we got home (Jay and I went for supper at our neighborhood Chilis) I promptly went to bed when we got home. Today we went to church and set up (they hold church here in schools, since land is really hard to come by, they literally are a 'church in a van') did the service and spent some time with our friend Werner (I'll have to post some pics at some point) We went for lunch to this little fast food joint called ...

What could be better than (almost) finishing the week with a sunset over the ocean? Jay and I drove out to Sunset cliffs Blvd. (along with a host of other 'travellers') and sat on the cool hard earth, on the edge of North America, to watch the sun tuck itself into the ocean, one beautiful second at a time. I hope that I never get used to this... Praise Adonai (click the photo to see our 'time-lapse' photography)

Today Jay and I trekked back into Anaheim for the last day of the NAMM show, namely to see our old friend Norm Stockton play in the morning (at the Roland Booth) with Lincoln Brewster. (Lincoln Brewster is a SERIOUS guitar player, worship leader/songwriter, pretty big in the Christian Music scene. Oh, and btw, if Jay Dyrland ever reads this, Lincoln Brewster TOTALLY reminded me of him -- just wanted to let him know...) It was pretty cool, they played a "mini-church-service" type thing right in the middle of the NAMM show -- and Lincoln was wailing all over the guitar, while we got to watch Norm play bass -- and sing! (Norm Stockton and Jay, after the show) Afterwards we all got together for a picture. We got to meet Norm's wife, who is super cool, she just finished a CD as well, which she gave to me. And the highlight (for me) was meeting the Executive Editor of Worship Leader Magazine (HELLO!!) she was sitting right in front of us and just happened to turn around and wa...

Today we cruised into Los Angeles via the 405 and very quickly made a wrong freeway exit (always a tense moment for me ... the official navigatress) but, soon found ourselves back on track again, and cruising through Bel Air (who wouldda thunk..) and on to Ventura Blvd. Our trip destination was the Amp Shop , a music boutique Los Angeles style, right on the corner, where Jay wanted to check out Bogner Amps. So, after quite a trip, we arrived at their closed and barred doors only to read a small typed paper stating that they were all at the NAMM show (go figure) Jay was 'irritated', and I felt his pain, but we had parked so we walked the street for a bit. Ventura Blvd. is very similar to an exaggerated Whyte Ave. (which is actually very cool) and about 10 times as long with Ferrari Dealerships ... the exciting moment for me, checking out a Rodeo Drive Consignment store, with Versace and REAL Louis Vutton bags (the prices seemed just as ridiculous to me) we made our way from t...

Sunset strip and Sadness sits on the corners streets lined with dreams wannabee stars asphalt and cars stars who went too far fallen and famous fleeting concrete catastrophe's dance about silent cocaine coffins Lonely and helpless hopeless by society an existing exercise of Super American futility Hollywood's well kept well swept under the rugs Boulevard

Thank you Byron! We had a BLAST! Jay and I decended upon Music Industry Elite today at the annual NAMM show in Anaheim, CA. ... and WOW ... words cannot completely contain the experience that is wrapped up in walking through the packed convention centre. Surrounded by the best and most beautiful musical instruments, the most bizzare people (and groups of people) you would ever see... from goth rockers, to long haired hippies in tye-dyed suits, to scantly clad women wearing rubber 'nurse' uniforms ... I think we pretty much saw it all (although, even as I type this, I know that's not true!) Both Jay and I got to rub shoulders (literally) with some pretty cool people. I think pictures will say it best with this one...enjoy! Jay and I hangin' at NAMM =) This is Kerry King from Slayer fame -- I could NOT get a 'clear' picture of him (camera was always blurry...for some strange reason...) This is Natalie Cole (Nat King Coles' daughter) Jay and Scott Ian (of A...

Could you say No to this face? This week has been a busy one -- I think this week has been one of the more 'social' ones Jay and I have ever had. On Wed. eve. we were invited for supper by our pastor Chad and his wife Nicole, with another new couple from our church (their first weekend was this last Sunday, they sat beside us). It was a really good time -- of just getting to know each other and learning about others lives. Chad and Nicole are REALLY neat people, totally love God, and they really live what they teach. They have two children, one is a foster child -- they just display the love of God in how they are, I am really encouraged by them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The new couple moved down from L.A. for school and a job opp. and we really connected with them. They invited us over afterwards (just Jay and I) to see their home, very quaint. I guess I should give them their names!! Laura and Andy have re-located to S...