Wandering Southward

My friend Laurel contacted me with a grand proposition. The offer was for her to fly out to California and for us to drive down to San Diego to attend her sister's husband's brother's wedding. I most certainly did not pass up the opportunity.

Laurel is a Sea Lion Woman.

Laurel flew in from Philly to San Francisco. We spent the first day playing around in SF and then hung out with another Minnesotan native named Ryan Hett. Ryan recently moved to Oakland and was happy to introduce us to his new home city. We stayed in the Bay Area for a day and then went up the hill to Grass Valley/Nevada City.

Ryan and I checking the CB joint.

We spent a day around my hometown before heading South. Then we went Los Angeles to visit our friend Lucia. She had some great food recommendations including a vegan restaurant not far from her house called Pure Luck. Pure Luck had the best Vegan torta in the world. So good I went back for it twice! We also spent some good amount of time shopping at thrift stores, record shops, vintage stores, cafes, and even a brilliant shop called Necromance where I got a pair of black prairie dog feet. I still haven't figured out what to do with them, but assure you they are rad enough on their own.

Lucia and Laurel in Pure Luck.

As for records, I picked up some Oren Ambarchi, Sandro Perri, and even some Jacaszek, which I was really happy to find on vinyl. I did pick up a copy of Joe Jackson's Look Sharp in a thrift store, but somehow that followed my sketchbook in the fray of things left somewhere in Southern California not to be found in my possession currently. I also picked up a copy of Elm's newest. All this great music was really superfluous seeing as I was just at Amoeba a few weeks earlier and had picked up some Dark Dark Dark, Dirty Projectors, and Barn Owl on vinyl there. This was also sandwiched in there with buying a new Bonnie 'Prince' Billy EP, Rachel Grimes' new LP, the newest in the Inspiration Information series, Bill Withers' second full length, and all the vinyl I bought back in Minneapolis when I brought over a bulk of my collection on a plane from there. I think may have a little problem with buying music... maybe. I also bought Dead Western's Soften Your Screams Into Sings off of him at a show recently. So, yes, I do have a problem. I'm not going to say it is a bad problem, but nonetheless its there. At least I can recognize it right.

Well, Laurel and I hit up a few beaches along the way. And even though it was November it was still quite warm. I think Laurel even got a tan. You have got to love Southern Californian weather.

I wasn't the only one finding good deals. Laurel found her share of treasures outside of record shops and inside of thrift stores. You can see Laurel below sporting a new evening jacket that she found for a great price at a thrift store in Ventura.

Laurel.

Well, we worked our way down to San Diego for the wedding. Due to some occupancy restraints I could only be there for the ceremony and not for the reception. So, I hid out in a great vegan bakery called Stephanie's and chilled there until the dancing started. Then I went back to crash the party and cut a rug or two. Sadly, that was all the official dancing to be had on the trip. Although, we still kept it as a goal the entire time.

Me.

I can say that we had a great time. In San Diego, Laurel and I got to hang out with Bryan and Jamie, Laurel's sister and brother-in-law. We had a blast together and even continued the party in L.A. on our way back up the road. If you are ever down that way I can suggest a great garden full of Edward Scissor Hand like sculptures. Technically, you are not supposed to play with them, but its okay if you notice the sign after you take all your pictures.

Jamie, Laurel and I finally noticing the sign. Ooops.

The drive down and back was just as enjoyable as all the stops we made. With no radio in my truck we had some great conversations to keep ourselves entertained. It had been about a year since Laurel and I last saw each other, so this was a grand reunion of old friends becoming older.

Soon, I hope to visit Laurel in Philly. There will certainly be some posts about that trip when it comes along. This was the fourth good sized trip I was able to make this year. All that and no real source of income. I want to thank all of the people that made these experiences possible. This year was one of the best I have had despite all that I have been through health wise. I hope next year will be even better.