may 16 2003, 8:00 a.m. 

so here i go starting the last year of my 30's. the goodbye to youth tour i guess you could call it. the last year could best be described by the first few lines of a tale of two cities. literally. anyway, this one's starting off a tad better. i'm almost back on track, though i still need to find my new center as it appears the old one has died. i'm playing a lot more regularly now, which is pleasing to me on so many fronts, and i'm back at the shows consistently. perhaps too consistently for my own good. anyway, i'm starting off right as i leave this morning for my sabbatical in the sierras. i've got a smidgeon of company this time, which will be a nice change, but i've still got the bulk of my time there to be alone with the earth, sky and water. but i've got to go now, it's starting to get late, and god knows i can't miss that 4 p.m. opener!

m